Accessory Spleen in the Splenic Hilum: a Cadaveric Study with Clinical Significance

Abstract

Aim:An accessory spleen is an additional tissue of the spleen that may be found near the spleen. It is a congenital anomaly of the spleen that its incidence has been reported 10-30% of the population. Hence, the objective of this study was evaluation the incidence of accessory spleen in Iranian cadavers.Method:Sixty hundred and ninety three spleens (541 males, 152 females) were excised from cadavers in the dissection hall of Mashhad Forensic Medicine Organization cadavers. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Fresh Iranian cadavers with no history of alcohol, poisoning or drug abuse, and no evidence of pathologic abnormality or injury to the spleen. The presence of accessory spleens, its dimension and weight investigated in cadavers.Results:During routine postmortem examination, five cases with an accessory spleen were found in the autopsy laboratory of Mashhad legal Medicine Organization between June 2014 and July 2015. Of the cases, 3 were male and 2 were female. The accessory spleens were observed at the splenic hilum. The length of the accessory spleens ranged from 2-3.5 cm, while the range of width was between 0.5 and 2.5 cm. The accessory spleens were confirmed by histological examination.Conclusion:An accessory spleen has clinical importance in some locations. When an accessory spleen is situated in another site, it may mimic some tumors such as pancreatic tumor and adrenal tumor. In addition, accessory spleen may cause hyperplasia after splenectomy and be responsible for a recurrence of the hematological disorders.

Young Patient With Abdominal Pain

“…However, a few cases can occur in the liver, adrenal glands, ovaries, scrotum, and pelvic cavity. 1,2 In this case, we found that the ligaments around the spleen were absent, which was considered the main cause of the heterotopic spleen, an anomaly that is very rare in 15-year-olds. The intermittent abdominal pain was caused by the intermittent ischemia from distortion of splenic vessels, which was a result of the twisting of the enlarged spleen.…”

Abdominopelvic ectopic spleen with a comprehensive imaging examination: a case report

“…However, a few cases can occur in the liver, adrenal glands, ovaries, scrotum, or pelvic cavity. 2 , 7 In cases where the spleen can be returned to the spleen bed, the condition is referred to as wandering spleen. The incidence of ectopic spleen is higher in multiparous women aged between 20 and 40 years.…”

Accessory spleen originating from the intrinsic muscularis of the stomach misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a case report

“…It is therefore important to distinguish between an accessory spleen and gastric submucosal or abdominal visceral tumors. 9,10…”