99mTc-Sn-colloid SPECT/CT in thoracic splenosis after esophageal cancer surgery.

Splenosis occurs as a result of autotransplantation of splenic tissue following splenic injury or splenectomy. A 56-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent thoracoscopic-assisted subtotal esophagectomy accompanied by three-field lymph node dissection, and retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction. The spleen was injured during the surgery and was removed. A retrosternal nodule of 12 mm in diameter was detected near the reconstructed gastric tube on computed tomography (CT) performed 3 years and 6 months postoperatively. Retrospectively, the nodule was observed in the same area on early postoperative CT and gradually increased in size. No accessory spleen was identified on the preoperative CT. Splenosis was suspected, and 99mTc-Sn-colloid single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT was performed. It revealed intense uptake in the retrosternal nodule, consistent with the diagnosis of thoracic splenosis. Subsequently, the patient has been under observation without treatment. 99mTc-labeled colloid SPECT/CT allowed confident diagnosis of thoracic splenosis following esophageal cancer surgery. This examination is considered valuable for the evaluation of ectopic splenic tissue.

Posttraumatic thoracic splenosis in a 77-year-old patient after a motor vehicle accident.

We present a rare case of autotransplantation of splenic tissue to the thoracic cavity, concerning for lung tumor, after splenic and diaphragmatic injury following a severe motor vehicle accident 27 years previous.

Splenic scintigraphy-reloaded: Pulmonary and pleural lesions proven to be splenosis by heat-damaged erythrocyte scintigraphy.

We report the case of a 60-year-old patient whose computed tomography revealed multiple pleural foci that were classified as potentially malignant. After revealing traumatic splenectomy in the patient's history, the differential diagnosis of splenosis was considered and a 99m-techentium heat-damaged autologous red blood cells scintigraphy performed. This conventional method can be used to reliably make an exact diagnosis avoiding more expensive or invasive methods.

Thoracic Splenosis - A necessary differential diagnosis for pleural based nodules with history of thoracoabdominal trauma.

Thoracic Splenosis (TS) is a rare medical condition, where there is auto-transplantation of the splenic tissue in the thoracic cavity, often leading to pleural based nodules. Our patient is the first ever case of this condition in Pakistan, and underwent extensive diagnostic procedures as well as medical treatments, before receiving the diagnosis of TS. He underwent HRCT for chronic cough that revealed pleural and mediastinal nodules. This coupled with a vague mass in the testes led to the provisional diagnosis of metastasized testicular tumour, and later a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was made. However, eventually a 99mTc denatured red blood cell scan confirmed the diagnosis of TS. TS is a benign condition, whereas other causes of pleural nodules are relatively malignant, hence its diagnosis is essential in ruling out malignancies. Among the multiple invasive and non-invasive diagnostic modalities, the gold standard remains 99mTc denatured red blood cell scan, which is a sensitive test that provides an accurate diagnosis and bars the need of multiple invasive procedures.

Thoracic splenosis: Case report of a symptomatic case.

Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.

Thoracic splenosis: Case report of a symptomatic case / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Thoracic splenosis is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue in the left thoracic cavity as a result of a splenic injury. This rare pathology is usually asymptomatic and may be discovered on incidental imaging, but the diagnosis often requires invasive procedures such as surgery in order to eliminate a neoplasic origin. We report a rare symptomatic case of a 39-year-old man presenting with chest pain and multiple nodules revealed on a computed tomography scan. The patient underwent a surgical exploration and the pathological studies concluded to a thoracic splenosis. Indeed, the previous medical history of the patient revealed a left thoraco-abdominal traumatism during childhood. The aim of this paper is to emphasize that the diagnosis can now be performed using only imaging techniques such as technetium-99 sulfur colloid or labelled heat-denatured red blood cell scintigraphy to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures including thoracotomy.

Thoracic Splenosis after Splenic and Diaphragmatic Injury.

Thoracic splenosis is a rare disease that develops as a result of autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the thoracic cavity following splenic and diaphragmatic injury. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with a chief complaint of heartburn and cough. He had a history of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture treated with surgical repair and splenectomy 15 years ago. Imaging studies revealed a paraesophageal mass, and surgical resection was performed considering the possibility of Castleman disease or an esophageal submucosal tumor. Pathologic results showed findings of normal splenic tissue. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 without any complications.

Thoracic Splenosis after Splenic and Diaphragmatic Injury / 대한흉부외과학회지

Thoracic splenosis is a rare disease that develops as a result of autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the thoracic cavity following splenic and diaphragmatic injury. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with a chief complaint of heartburn and cough. He had a history of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture treated with surgical repair and splenectomy 15 years ago. Imaging studies revealed a paraesophageal mass, and surgical resection was performed considering the possibility of Castleman disease or an esophageal submucosal tumor. Pathologic results showed findings of normal splenic tissue. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 without any complications.

Thoracic splenosis presenting as pulmonary space-occupying lesion.

BACKGROUND: Spleen leaves its normal anatomical position and appears in other locations, which is called ectopic spleen. It is most commonly found in the abdomen or pelvis with seeding of the peritoneum, omentum or mesentery. A few of cases of thoracic splenosis associated with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We make a report on a case of intrapulmonary thoracic splenosis. A 44-year-old male patient underwent splenectomy due to a high fall accident injury in 2008. After ten years, thoracic splenosis were found in the lungs and chest wall. Clinical diagnosis was unidentified masses, benign tumor of lungs and chest wall. The radiological imaging was suggestive of the thoracic splenosis, After surgery, the diagnosis of thoracic splenosis was confirmed by pathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic splenosis may occur after the injury to spleen and surgical treatment may not be the preferred method for asymptomatic or less symptomatic thoracic splenosis.

Thoracic splenosis: diagnosis without invasive investigations.

This case report describes a case of thoracic splenosis. Splenosis is often interpreted as malignancy on initial imaging. Case reports described in the literature reveal that diagnosis is most often confirmed with invasive investigations. A 99 m technetium-labelled sulphur colloid scan when used with single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is highly specific for splenic tissue and more readily available and time efficient than other modalities used for this purpose. Awareness of this may prevent unnecessary or dangerous invasive diagnostic procedures.

Pleural Nodules and Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in a Smoker: An Unusual Case Report.

The authors report a case of thoracic splenosis, which is the autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the pleural cavity. Splenosis in the chest is a rare entity and most often an incidental finding on chest computed tomography, typically showing solitary or multiple well-defined, noncalcified pleural nodules of variable size in the left hemithorax. It is important to include this benign pathology in the differential diagnosis among other, generally malignant, pleural lesions. Imaging clues to the diagnosis are absence of the spleen and/or associated rib fractures. Early identification of thoracic splenosis as a cause of pleural nodules can prevent unnecessary and risky invasive procedures, such as biopsy or surgery.

Pitfalls in oncology: a unique case of thoracic splenosis mimicking malignancy in a patient with resected breast cancer.

Thoracic splenosis (TS) is a condition of autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the pleural cavity after thoraco-abdominal trauma, with diaphragmatic and spleen injury. It is usually asymptomatic and discovered as an incidental finding at imaging performed for other reasons. Its differential diagnosis regards different benign and malignant conditions and should be discerned avoiding invasive procedures. We report a case of thoracic mass associated with pleural nodules mimicking malignancy in a patient with resected breast cancer for whom a diagnosis of TS was made early by using non-invasive methods. Briefly, we review the literature data on TS, comment concisely the possible implications of using invasive procedures and describe the current non-invasive techniques available. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of an accurate medical history collection, the role of the multidisciplinary board and their impact on treatment decision making. Finally, we conclude that clinical information and imaging would be the discriminating factors to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.