Splenosis: A Review

Abstract

Splenosis is a common benign condition that occurs after splenic rupture via trauma or surgery. Splenosis is usually found incidentally and unless symptomatic, therapy is not indicated. However, since radiographically it can mimic malignancy, most patients have an extensive workup. The diagnostic method of choice is nuclear scintigraphy, specifically, a heat-damaged red blood cell scan. Splenosis usually occurs within the abdominal and pelvic cavities, but patients have been described with intrathoracic, subcutaneous, intrahepatic and intracranial lesions.

Laparoscopic gastric band removal complicated by splenosis

“…Although these implants acquire the normal function of the spleen, it is a benign acquired disease unlike the congenital accessory spleen, which arises from the dorsal mesogastrium 5 and is found near the splenic hilum. They have the normal splenic histology and are supported by the splenic artery.…”

“…However, in splenosis, the splenic tissues have poorly formed capsules, no hilum and vary in shape and size 5, 6. They even differ by their blood supply; splenic implants use the surrounding peritoneal vessels, rather than the splenic artery 7.…”

Pancreatic Splenosis Mimicking Neuroendocrine Tumors:

“…Após emprego dos critérios de exclusão, 11 pacientes foram selecionados. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo masculino (7), jovens (idade média: 42 anos) e assintomáticos (8). A imagem ecoendoscópica isolada suspeitou de esplenose pancreática em 6 casos, e tumores neuroendócrinos em outros 5 casos.…”

“…Another cause is the failure of coalescence during migration of mesenchymal cells of the splenic primordium (15) . The deposition of isolated cells from the spleen appears as bluish-red nodules, which can affect the peritoneum, mesentery, liver, kidney and pancreas (8,15) . Pancreatic splenosis (PS) is found, in most cases, by chance and does not require surgical resection once accurately diagnosed (14) .…”

“…Abdominal splenosis is the spontaneous transplantation of splenic tissue to unusual sites (8) . This situation usually occurs after splenic trauma or surgery.…”