RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Splenic cysts are rare. They are usually incidentally diagnosed and there is no harmonised treatment pathway. We report a case of a large splenic epidermoid type cyst without history of previous abdominal trauma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 23-year old male patient presented with symptoms of upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Except for a tenderness in the upper and lower left quadrant of the abdomen, the initial examination showed no extraordinary findings. A contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a large singular splenic cyst displacing neighbouring structures. Echinococcus serology was tested negative. A laparoscopic fenestration of the superficially located splenic cyst was performed. Perioperative course was free of complications. Histopathological analysis of the excisate showed a squamous lining indicating the cyst as epidermoid type. DISCUSSION: Non-parasitic cyst types include traumatic, neoplastic, degenerative and congenital cysts. Due to its considerable size, our patients splenic cyst was diagnosed after occurring symptoms lead to further examination (CT scan). Laparoscopic fenestration of the cyst was chosen as the optimal surgical approach because of the superficial location of the cyst and to preserve residual splenic parenchyma. In the present case, recurrence of the splenic cyst appeared, which left the patient with a total splenectomy as the final treatment choice. CONCLUSION: Due to the unspecific symptoms, the diagnosis of a splenic cyst can be prolonged. Choosing the adequate surgical technique to avoid complications is crucial. By deepening the understanding of the condition and surgical approaches, we can improve diagnostic and therapeutic management for affected patients.
RESUMEN
Engineering of materials consisting of hypertrophic cartilage, as physiological template for de novo bone formation through endochondral ossification (ECO), holds promise as a new class of biological bone substitutes. Here, we assessed the efficiency and reproducibility of bone formation induced by the combination of ceramic granules with fractionated human adipose tissue ("nanofat"), followed by in vitro priming to hypertrophic cartilage. Human nanofat was mixed with different volumetric ratios of ceramic granules (0.2-1 mm) and cultured to sequentially induce proliferation (3 weeks), chondrogenesis (4 weeks), and hypertrophy (2 weeks). The resulting engineered constructs were implanted ectopically in nude mouse. The presence of ceramic granules regulated tissue formation, both in vitro and in vivo. In particular, their dispersion in nanofat at a ratio of 1:16 led to significantly increased cell number and glycosaminoglycan accumulation in vitro, as well as amount and inter-donor reproducibility of bone formation in vivo. Our findings outline a strategy for efficient utilization of nanofat for bone regeneration in an autologous setting, which should now be tested at an orthotopic site. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we assessed the efficiency and reproducibility of bone formation by a combination of ceramic granules and fractionated human adipose tissue, also known as nanofat, in vitro primed into hypertrophic cartilage. The resulting engineered cartilaginous constructs, when implanted ectopically in nude mouse, resulted in bone and bone marrow formation, more reproducibly and strongly that nanofat alone. This project evaluates the impact of ceramic granules on the functionality and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitors inside their native adipose tissue niche and outlines a novel strategy for an efficient application of nanofat for bone regeneration in an autologous setting.