A CASE OF MUCIGENIC EPITHERIAL CYST IN THE SPLEEN

Though splenic cysts have been considered to be a relatively rare disease, a number of cases have recently been reported corresponding to a marked improvement in diagnostic technique. The clinico-pathological classification of these disease established in the 1940's to 1950's is used at present. However, as clinical experience increases, it has become obvious that there are many unclassifiable cases. A case reported was a eighty five year old woman whose chief complaint was diarrhea. Preoperative diagnosis by angiography, echography and computed tomography suggested a multiple cyst of spleen. At the operation when splenectomy was performed, the other organs seemed macroscopically tobe normal and the size of cystic spleen was 19×10×7cm. Pathological examination of the resected specimen was a mucigenic epithelial cyst of the spleen of a new type beyond the present classification.