Presentation
Status post splenectomy following motor vehicle collision about 25 years prior.
Patient Data
Soft tissue mass projects over left lower lobe.
Multiple enhancing left pleural-based masses and nodules. Absent spleen.
Technetium 99m labeled sulfur colloid scan shows normal liver sulfur colloid uptake and absent spleen. Multiple foci of increased uptake in the left paravertebral region, left hemithorax, left paracolic gutter, left anterior hemipelvis, and mesentery compatible with splenosis.
Case Discussion
Thoracic splenosis is an uncommon cause of pleural-based nodules/masses but should be considered if there is a history of prior abdominal/splenic trauma. Most cases are asymptomatic. If necessary, the diagnosis can be confirmed with a tagged heat-damaged red cell study or a technetium 99m labeled sulfur colloid scan.