An Uncommon Cystic Mass of the Spleen in a Child

Abstract

Splenic cysts are extremely rare, particularly in pediatric population. They may be parasitic or non-parasitic in origin. The parasitic splenic cysts, usually caused by Echinococcus granulosus, account for 60% of all primary splenic cysts. The primary epithelial cysts or epidermoid cysts account for 10% of all splenic non-parasitic cysts. We report a case of epidermoid cyst of spleen in a 13-years-old boy admitted with an abdominal pain, which on imaging found to be a cystic mass arising from spleen. On laparotomy the spleen was found occupying a major part of the abdomen. Open partial splenectomy was performed. The post-operative clinical course was satisfactory and uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed it to be a primary epithelial cyst of spleen. This case report emphasises on the rarity of the case at this age.