Intrahepatic splenosis mimics hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis B: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Splenosis is a benign and relatively uncommon condition caused by trauma or splenectomy or other procedures involving splenic tissue. It is usually asymptomatic, and often diagnosed accidentally, especially misdiagnosed as malignant tumor. METHODS: A 54-year-old man with prior history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and underwent splenectomy for traumatic splenic rupture following a traffic accident 23 years previously was admitted to our hospital and found a hepatic mass in the right upper quadrant during an imaging examination. The diagnosis of his was not clear and finally he agreed to receive a surgical treatment. RESULTS: During the operation, we found a mass in the right posterior lobe of the liver and a hard nodule on the right side of the diaphragm, both were completely resected, and postoperative histopathologic examination revealed that all excised tissues were proved to have histological structure typical for the spleen. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of intrahepatic splenosis is rare with only few cases previously reported in the literature. It is a benign disease and sometimes difficult to distinguish from diseases of the liver. The need for positive surgical resection of splenosis is still controversial.

Post-splenectomy and hyposplenic states.

The spleen is crucial in regulating immune homoeostasis through its ability to link innate and adaptive immunity and in protecting against infections. The impairment of splenic function is defined as hyposplenism, an acquired disorder caused by several haematological and immunological diseases. The term asplenia refers to the absence of the spleen, a condition that is rarely congenital and mostly post-surgical. Although hyposplenism and asplenia might predispose individuals to thromboembolic events, in this Review we focus on infectious complications, which are the most widely recognised consequences of these states. Because of the high mortality, the fulminant course, and the refractoriness to common treatment of overwhelming infections caused by encapsulated bacteria, prevention through vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis is the basis of the management of patients who have had splenectomy or have hyposplenism. In this Review, we critically assess clinical and diagnostic aspects of splenic dysfunction and highlight new perspectives in the prevention of overwhelming post-splenectomy infections.

Esplenosis abdominal: una entidad frecuentemente infradiagnosticada / Abdominal splenosis: an often underdiagnosed entity

La esplenosis se define como el autotrasplante heterotópico de tejido esplénico como resultado de una rotura del bazo por trauma o cirugía. Es una condición benigna y de hallazgo casual, aunque en ciertas ocasiones las pruebas de imagen puedan orientar a malignidad simulando tumores renales, linfomas abdominales y endometriosis, entre otros. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 42 años al que, tras un estudio por dolor abdominal, se le realiza una resonancia magnética en la que se observan múltiples adenopatías en el abdomen que pueden orientar a un síndrome linfoproliferativo. Como antecedente importante, presenta esplenectomía por trauma abdominal a los 9 años. Tras varios estudios, se decide realizar una gammagrafía con hematíes desnaturalizados marcados con tecnecio-99m que muestra múltiples depósitos patológicos distribuidos por todo el abdomen e, incluso, la pelvis, siendo este hallazgo compatible con esplenosis(AU)

Splenosis is defined as the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue because of a ruptured spleen due to trauma or surgery. It is a benign and incidental finding, although imaging tests may sometimes orient toward malignancy simulating renal tumors, abdominal lymphomas, endometriosis, among other. We report the case of a 42-year old male in whom a MRI was performed after a study due to abdominal pain. Multiple enlarged lymph nodes were observed in the abdomen, suggestive of lymphoproliferative disease. As an important background, splenectomy was carried out due to abdominal trauma at age 9. After several studies, it was decided to perform a 99mTc-labeled heat-damaged red blood cell scintigraphy that showed multiple pathological deposits distributed throughout the abdomen, and even the pelvis, being consistent with splenosis(AU)

Splenosis and sepsis: The born-again spleen provides poor protection.

Splenosis describes ectopic splenic tissue found in patients after rupture of the spleen. These implants are commonly located on the omentum but can be scattered throughout the body in varying number and size. Although splenosis was first documented over a century ago, the precise mechanism for its development remains unknown. The degree of immunoprotection offered by this tissue remains unclear. Much of the human data is in the form of case reports documenting failure of splenotic tissue to protect against septicemia. Even accessory spleens may not offer complete protection once the primary spleen is removed. This review of the literature demonstrates that no amount of splenosis should be considered protective against overwhelming post-splenectomy infection.

Splenosis: a review.

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.

Intrathoracic splenosis.

Intrathoracic splenosis is a rare condition involving autotransplantation of the splenic tissue into the pleural cavity. It is typically a result of diaphragmatic and splenic rupture after blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. The diagnosis is usually determined by surgical biopsy of an incidental asymptomatic mass on a radiograph or computed tomography. The process is benign and can be generally followed with serial chest radiographs. We herein discuss a 34-year-old male who presented with sharp chest pains.

Evaluation of risk of splenosis during laparoscopic splenectomy in rat model.

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is an alternative to open surgery. However, there is a theoretic risk of splenosis and abdominal cavity dissemination of splenic cells if the splenic capsule is broken, as seen by experimental evidence of tumoral cell mobilization by the pneumoperitoneum. We evaluated the features of splenosis after splenectomy operated via an open approach or under laparoscopic control in an experimental model in the rat. A total of 65 Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed in seven groups that included the open approach, CO2 pneumoperitoneum LS, or wall lift LS with or without a splenic graft. Splenic function was evaluated 90 day later through (1) scintigraphy with Tc-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes; (2) determination of circulating "pitted" cells; and (3) analysis of the distribution of splenic pulp in the peritoneal cavity. Scintigraphy did not show viable residual tissue in any group after splenectomy; splenic activity in the splenic fossa was observed in 40% of the animals with grafts. Splenectomy increased the "pit" cell count, but it was reduced to normal values with a splenic graft. Necropsy showed normal splenic tissue in the splenic fossa in 100% of animals with a graft. Abdominal implants were observed significantly more frequent after CO2 LS than after the open surgery or a wall lift LS (80% vs. 20% vs. 30%; p < 0.05). In addition, trocar site implants were observed with CO2 LS (n = 3) or wall lift LS (n = 2), whereas there were no implants in the wound in the open group. We conclude that in an experimental rat model the pneumoperitoneum may facilitate abdominal splenosis after LS if the splenic capsule is ruptured or if splenic tissue spills compared with surgery without gas (open or laparoscopic).

Pelvic splenosis mimicking endometriosis, causing low abdominal mass and pain.

Splenosis is the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue that usually follows traumatic splenectomy. The clinical significance of these splenic implants and the need for surgical removal is debatable. A case of a 35 year old woman, with post-traumatic splenectomy presenting with low abdominal pain and pelvic mass is reported. Laparoscopic removal of the pelvic splenic implants dispelled all complaints.

Auto-implante esplênico em crianças esquistossmóticas submetidas a esplenectomia: avaliaçäo das funçöes hemocaterética e imunológica residuais / Autologous splenic implantation in children with hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis who underwent splenectomy: evaluation of residual hemocateritic and immunological functions

A esquistossomose hepatoesplênica com varizes esofágicas é frequentes em crianças, entretanto, ocorre em regiSes hiperendêmicas, como o nordeste do Brasil,determinando significativa morbidade, atingindo a vida desses futuros adultos. Há evidências de que a esplenose, pós-esplenectomia por trauma mantém, parcialmente, as funçoes imunológica e hemocaterética esplênicas. Estudos semelhantes, entretanto, nÝo foram realizados em esquistossomóticos submetidos a esplenectomia. foram avaliados 23 pacientes, de 9 a 18 anos, com esquistossomose hepatoesplênica, com indicaçÝo de tratamento cirúrgico, submetidos a esplenectomia, ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda e auto-implante esplênico. O seguimento pós-operatório era superior a um ano. A esplenose foi comprovada por cintilografia com enxofre coloidal marcado com tecnécio99m. Esfregaços de sangue periférico foram examinados, em todos os pacientes, para pesquisa de corpúsculos de Howell-Jolly, que indicam ausência ou insuficiência de funçÝo hemocaterética esplênica. Vinte pacientes desse grupo foram vacinados com 23 polissacarídeos da cápsula de pneumococos. Dois pacientes, que apresentavam esplenose menos evidente, apresentaram corpúsculos de Howell-Jolly. A resposta à vacinaçÝo pneumocócica foi adequada em treze pacientes. Três crianças evidenciaram uma resposta fraca e em quatro ela foi inadequada. Os dados confirmam o auto-inplante esplênico com método eficaz na manutençÝo das funçSes hemocaterética e imunológica em crianças com esquistossomose cirúrgica submetida a esplenectomia

[Splenic neoformation following trauma-induced splenectomy--diagnosis and function]. / Milzneubildungen nach traumatisch bedingter Splenektomie--Diagnostik und Funktion.

GOAL: Regeneration of the spleen after posttraumatic splenectomy has been described in the literature. The goal of this study was to determine the rate of splenosis, its effect on hematology and postoperative infections and the value of sonography in the diagnosis of splenosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were examined sonographically one to 14 years after splenectomy. They were questioned concerning infections and a blood count was done. Data concerning the grading of the splenic rupture, additional injuries and postoperative complications were collected from their charts. RESULTS: Splenosis was detected sonographically in 17 patients. It was seen more often, the more severe the injury of the spleen had been. Patients under 30 years in the splenosis group had a shorter ICU and hospital stay and significantly less postoperative infections. Fourteen of 17 patients with splenosis had no hematological changes, while 32 of 33 patients without splenosis demonstrated Howell-Jolly bodies and acanthocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is a reliable method for visualisation of splenosis. The latter seems to prevent the hematological changes usually found after splenectomy. It also seems to reduce the number of postoperative infections in young patients.

Splenic autotransplantation after splenectomy: tuftsin activity correlates with residual splenic function.

This study set out to determine the relationship between splenic function (as assessed by the percentage of pitted red cells) and tuftsin activity, and to confirm the return of effective splenic function after splenectomy for trauma. Twenty-three patients (13 men) took part. Ten of mean age 48.5 (range 30-74) years had had the spleen removed for traumatic rupture and 13 of mean age 49.7 (range 23-66) years had undergone elective splenectomy. At the time of the study all patients had had the spleen removed a minimum of 1 year previously (mean 6.1 (range 1-15) years). Fifty healthy volunteers matched for sex and age were also studied. In each subject, residual splenic function was evaluated by counting the percentage of pitted red cells. Tuftsin activity was also determined. A highly significant negative correlation was found between pitted red cell percentage and tuftsin activity (rs = -0.80, P < 0.001). Compared with healthy controls (mean 21.6 (range 13-37) per cent), tuftsin activity was significantly reduced both in patients who had undergone splenectomy for trauma (mean 4.4 (range 0-9) per cent; P < 0.0001) and in those who had had elective splenectomy (mean 0; P < 0.0001). Tuftsin activity was significantly (P < 0.001) more depressed after elective than traumatic splenectomy. These data confirm a decrease in tuftsin activity following splenectomy and show that this deficit is significantly greater after elective than emergency removal. These observations confirm that residual splenic function is often present after traumatic splenectomy.