Discussion
Diagnosis With Brief Discussion
- Diagnosis
- Thoracic splenosis
- Radiologic Findings
- Chest CT demonstrated multiple variable sized well-defined ovoid shaped homogeneously enhancing masses along the pleura and diaphragm at left hemithorax. Thoracoscopic guided biopsy of left pleural nodule was performed. Specimen consists of lymphoid aggregation, consistent with splenic tissue.
- Brief Review
- Splenosis involves the autotransplantation of splenic tissue to abnormal locations after splenic injury. Splenic tissue implants are found most commonly in the mesentery, peritoneum, and omentum. Thoracic splenosis occurs less frequently than abdominal splenosis and may be found in 18% of patients after splenic rupture.
Intrathoracic splenosis is usually asymptomatic. Thoracic splenosis typically presents as single or multiple subpleural masses at computed tomographic scan. Pleural-based implants may occur on the parietal or visceral pleura, and they have attenuation similar to that of the normal spleen. Differential diagnosis includes pleural metastases (most commonly arising from the lung, breast, or melanoma), lymphoma, localized fibrous tumor of the pleura, malignant mesothelioma, invasive thymoma and sclerosing hemangioma.
When necessary, the preoperative diagnosis of splenosis may be established with technetium 99m (99mTc) sulfur colloid scintigraphy of the liver and spleen. Use of 99mTc sulfur colloid, 111 In-labeled platelets, or 99mTc heat-damaged erythrocytes results in specific uptake of the radioactive isotope in splenic tissue.
Intrathoracic splenosis should be considered in any patient with pleural-based nodules in the left hemithorax with a history of thoracoabdominal trauma and splenectomy or splenic injury. A preoperative diagnosis of thoracic splenosis can prevent unnecessary biopsy or thoracotomy.
- References
- 1. Huang AH, Shaffer K. Case 93: thoracic splenosis. Radiology. 2006;239:293-6.
2. Kim K, Choi HJ, Kim YM, Kwon WJ, Lee WC, Suh JH. Thoracic splenosis: a case report and the importance of clinical history. J Korean Med Sci. 2010;25:299-303.
- Keywords
- pleura, trauma,