The use of a handheld gamma probe for identifying two accessory spleens in difficult locations in the same patient.

Severe thrombocytopenia in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura may recur owing to retained accessory spleens. Accessory spleen may hide in unusual and difficult locations. We present an interesting case in which we used a handheld gamma probe intraoperatively to localize two accessory spleens. The two accessory spleens were successfully retrieved and removed. A handheld gamma probe is used as a valuable tool in localizing residual splenic tissue following splenectomy.