Epidermoid splenic cyst occurring in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen

Abstract

This case describes a 40-year-old man with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, who was found to have a cystic lesion in the tail of the pancreas. Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy revealed a primary epidermoid cyst of the spleen lying in the substance of the tail of the pancreas. This represents the only report of a splenic cyst in an ectopic spleen that could be found in a search of the world literature.

Laparoscopic resection of an epidermoid cyst originating from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen: Report of a case

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] All of these patients underwent a surgical resection because they were diagnosed to have pancreatic tumors, which were possibly malignant cystic tumors. If epidermoid cysts of the accessory spleen can be diagnosed accurately, and are small and asymptomatic, surgery may not be necessary.…”

Epidermoid Cyst in an Intra-Pancreatic Accessory Spleen

“…Epidermoid cysts are infrequent primary (true) splenic cysts and usually do not occur in the accessory spleen. First case of an epidermoid cyst within an IPAS was described in 1980 [3], with only 36 cases described so far [4,5]. Epidermoid cysts in IPAS occur with equal incidence among men and women, predominantly in the middle age group, and always located in the pancreatic tail [4].…”

Unusual long term complications of a splenic cyst

“…Occasionally the spleen can be tender leading to pain on palpation in the left upper quadrant. When the pain is significant, left hemi diaphragmatic movement may be affected leading to lower lobe atelectasis or pneumonia (4). Laboratory tests are usually normal.…”

“…The origin of splenic epithelial cysts is thought to be congenital although this is controversial. Although no epithelium is present histogenetically within the normal spleen, splenic epidermoid cyst is thought to be a lesion arising from embryonic inclusion of aberrant ectodermal and entodermal epithelium in the developing spleen (4).…”