Splenosis

Case contributed by James Sheldon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right loin to groin pain

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male
ct

4 mm right vesicoureteric junction calculus causes moderate hydroureteronephrosis. Tiny right kidney lower pole intrarenal calculus.

No calcified calculus is seen in the line of the left urinary tract. No left hydronephrosis or hydroureter.

Bilateral renal cysts, the largest arises from the left kidney lower pole and measures 30 mm. Bilateral perinephric stranding.

Absence of the spleen. There are numerous well-defined nodules ranging in size from several millimeters to 20 mm throughout the peritoneal cavity.

Case Discussion

Further discussion with referrer: this patient had an MVA as a child, and in this setting the peritoneal soft tissue nodules are likely focal deposits of splenic tissue in keeping with splenosis.

Abdominal splenosis is seen after abdominal trauma or surgery (e.g. splenectomy). It results from seeding of the peritoneal cavity with splenic tissue. Splenic nodules can sometimes be seen within the thoracic cavity if there is an associated diaphragmatic rupture.

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