huge non- parasitic splenic cyst: a case report

ABSTRACT

Splenic cysts are unusual in everyday surgical practice. Primary splenic cyst is a relatively rare disease the majority of cases are classified as epithelial cyst that in some cases has a huge appearance. In the literature, only about 1000 cases of epithelial cysts of spleen have been reported. This case is a 10-year old boy who presented with unusual complaints such as mild abdominal discomfort and sensation of fullness in the left side of abdomen together with enlargement and asymmetry. Ultrasonic and radiological examination [IV-oral abdominal CT-scan], showed a simple cyst of spleen with a diameter of 20 cm pushing the left kidney posteriorly. Test for hydatid cyst was performed and after a successful splenectomy the patient was discharged. The pathologic examination, confirmed the diagnosis of epithelial cyst. Epithelial cysts of spleen are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Also they may be detected by presenting with unusual complaints or enlargement of the cyst and its complications like hemorrhage and rupture. Simple splenic cyst with more than 5 cm in diameter must be resected by surgical Intervention. Large cysts can damage spleen and increase risk of bleeding during partial splenectomy. Therefore in such cases total splenectomy is the best method of surgery