Incidentally discovered asymptomatic splenic hamartoma misdiagnosed as an aneurysm: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Splenic hamartoma (SH) is a rare, benign vascular proliferation that is often found incidentally. It may be misdiagnosed as a splenic aneurysm or splenic malignancy. CASE SUMMARY A 21-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of an incidentally discovered asymptomatic splenic space-occupying lesion for 2 wk. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a circular low-density shadow in the hilum of the spleen. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed an aneurysm located in the hilum of the spleen before operation. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed and postoperative pathology revealed the presence of SH. CONCLUSION Imaging studies are insufficient for the differential diagnosis of SH from other diseases, and laparoscopic splenectomy is a less invasive procedure and useful for the diagnostic purpose as well.