Intrahepatic splenosis: imaging features

Abstract

We report a patient who presented with asymptomatic focal liver lesions and in whom a diagnosis of intrahepatic splenosis was made. This rare condition mostly occurs in patients who previously underwent splenic trauma or surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics suggesting this diagnosis are described. The lesions were mainly hypointense on T1- and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. After administration of small iron oxide particles (SPIO-Endorem), the lesions remained slightly hyperintense relative to the hypointense liver parenchyma but showed a 50% loss in signal intensity. Knowledge of these MRI characteristics may avoid the use of surgical interventions to arrive at the correct diagnosis of these rare liver lesions.

Intraperitoneal splenosis: CT and MRI evaluation

“…It is usually the result of traumatic rupture of the spleen or splenectomy, and has been shown to develop in up to 67% of splenic injuries (1,3,4). The average interval reported between trauma and abdominal or pelvic splenosis is 10 years, with a range of 5 months to 32 years (5,6).The average reported time delay in thoracic splenosis is 21 years, with a range of 3-45 years (7).…”

Hepatic splenosis mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

“…Although it is believed to occur in up to 67% of cases with Hepatic splenosis mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C splenic trauma the true incidence cannot be estimated as it is usually an incidental finding during surgical exploration or autopsy [2]. Splenosis is thought to be uncommon, but the incidence is probably underreported since the majority of patients are asymptomatic.…”

A case of multiple intra-abdominal splenosis with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging correlative findings

“…Hepatic splenosis or the heterotopic implantation of splenic tissue after splenic trauma or splenectomy is a common but under diagnosed entity, occurring in up to 67% of patients who have suffered from a splenic rupture [1][2][3][4] . The true incidence of this rare condition is unknown, because splenosis is usually an incidental finding at surgery.…”

“…Hepatic splenosis refers to heterotopic auto-transplantation and implantation of splenic tissue resulting from the spillage of cells from the spleen after splenic trauma or splenectomy, occurring in up to 67% of patients who have a splenic rupture [1,2] . Splenic implants are usually multiple and can be localized anywhere in the peritoneal cavity, but they usually occur on the serosal surfaces of the small and large bowel, the peritoneum, the mesentery and the diaphragm [3] .…”