[Thoracic splenosis mimicking pleural and pulmonary metastasis]. / Splénose thoracique mimant une atteinte pleuropulmonaire métastatique.

ABSTRACT

Splenosis corresponds to an autotransplantation of splenic tissue, consecutive to a traumatic or surgical wound of the spleen. The peritoneal cavity is usually affected but intrathoracic nodules are also described, when simultaneous rupture of the spleen and diaphragmatic laceration exist. Diaphragmatic laceration may be subclinical. Lesions are generally asymptomatic and are a fortuitous finding in radiographs or by the surgeons in the majority of the cases. We report a case of pleural and pulmonary splenosis, mimicking pleural and pulmonary metastasis of a dorsal melanoma.