European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

INTRATHORACIC SPLENOSIS: A CASE REPORT DIAGNOSED BY NON-INVASIVE RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Shatha Alswailmeen*, Nael Alshanableh, Abdallah Alkharabsheh, Mohammad Bani-Mostafa and Khaldoon Alwrekat

ABSTRACT

Intrathoracic splenosis is a very rare paraphysiologic condition, represents heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue anywhere within the parietal or the visceral pleura. It occurs after thoracoabdominal trauma, with accompanying rupture of the spleen and the diaphragm. Most of the cases were diagnosed incidentally during workup for different reasons, it could be easily misdiagnosed with other malignant conditions. We report a case of combined intra-abdominal and intrathoracic splenosis in a 64 years old man, found incidentally during workup for an elective cholecystectomy surgery, he had road trauma accident 42 years ago with combined thoracoabdominal trauma. In this paper we emphasize the importance of accurate medical history and appropriate imaging in diagnosis of this rare condition, with avoidance of invasive procedures and unnecessary surgical resection.

Keywords: Intrathoracic splenosis, splenectomy, diagnostic imaging.