Splenogonadal fusion: a rare cause of testicular enlargement

Abstract

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital abnormality found in boys and girls. There is fusion of the developing splenic anlage and the gonadal mesoderm at approximately week 5 of intrauterine life. It commonly presents as a testicular mass treated with an unnecessary orchidectomy. We report two cases of the discontinuous type presenting with testicular swelling and review the literature.

Untitled

“…Furthermore, subsequent inflammation or adhesions on the peritoneal surface may facilitate splenogonadal fusion. 4,[7][8][9] This condition commonly presents as an inguinal hernia or a testicular mass and may be misdiagnosed with testicular malignancy. In the literature, four cases of malignancies associated with splenogonadal fusion have been described.…”

Splenogonadal Fusion in Adults: Presentation of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

“…The association of other anomalies with SGF is explained by the timing of the insult during embryonic life [8] . Cryptorchidism is the most common anomaly associated with SGF [5] .…”

Name That Lump

“…It is rarely diagnosed preoperatively and more commonly found in men than women (Li, Luan, Ma, & Chen, 2013;Milliken, Cherian, Najmaldin, & Powis, 2007;Zhang, Tong, & Zhang, 2013). It is rarely diagnosed preoperatively and more commonly found in men than women (Li, Luan, Ma, & Chen, 2013;Milliken, Cherian, Najmaldin, & Powis, 2007;Zhang, Tong, & Zhang, 2013).…”

“…It is rarely diagnosed preoperatively and more commonly found in men than women (Li, Luan, Ma, & Chen, 2013;Milliken, Cherian, Najmaldin, & Powis, 2007;Zhang, Tong, & Zhang, 2013). As the testis starts to descend at Week 8, it pulls the splenic tissue along with it (Ferron & Arce, 2013;Lin, Lazarowicz, & Allan, 2007;Milliken et al, 2007). It most often occurs on the left side as a firm, nontender mass (Kocher, Tomaszewki, Cronson, Altman, & Kutikov, 2014).…”

“…In discontinuous SGF, there is no connection between the two organs (Kennedy, Barnard, & Speakman, 2006;Milliken et al, 2007). Continuous SGF is when the spleen and testis remain connected via a fibrous band, splenic tissue, or beaded cord of splenic tissue.…”