Splenosis Mimicking Carcinomatosis Peritonei in Advanced Gastric Cancer

ABSTRACT

Splenosis is the autotransplantation of fragmented splenic tissue that occurs as a result of traumatic splenic rupture or a routine splenectomy. Generally, splenic implants are numerous and located within the peritoneal cavity; peritoneum, omentum and abdominal viscera, and occasionally on extra-abdominal surfaces. Splenic implants are rarely clinically significant and are incidental found during an abdominal operation, but occasionally mimics primary or metastatic tumors, as seen on radiological studies. Herein, the case of a patient in whom multiple abdominal masses were identified as splenosis, but the initial radiographic finding was that of carcinomatosis peritonei.