Radiology of the spleen

Abstract

The spleen is generally not considered a challenge to the radiologist. Most often it poses a problem by anomalies or an irregular but normal contrast enhancement; however, a variety of inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic diseases may involve the spleen. CT and ultrasonography are screening modalities for the spleen. For problem solving, MR imaging can be helpful, especially due to its free choice of the imaging plane and because of the high resolution in contrast MR imaging. Splenic angiography as a diagnostic tool has generally been replaced by CT, ultrasound, or MR and is now used as an interventional method, e. g., in non-surgical management of patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia or in patients with splenic trauma. This article reviews the radiology of the spleen, including anatomy, embryology, splenomegaly, splenic injury, infarction, cysts, tumors, abscesses, sarcoidosis, and AIDS. Knowledge about the use of different imaging modalities and underlying gross and microscopic pathologic features leads to a better understanding of the radiologic findings.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in nodular splenomegaly associated with type B Niemann–Pick disease: an atypical hemangioma enhancement pattern

“…3c). 18 F-FDG-PET revealed multiple areas of uptake in correspondence with the nodular lesions (standard uptake by the largest node: 5.5) (Fig. 4).…”

“…In high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs), the lesions often exceed 30 mm, while in low-grade NHL there are areas of diffuse infiltration and small focal lesions (<10 mm). Metastatic lesions of the spleen are estimated to occur in 0.5e9% of patients with neoplastic diseases, mainly those with malignancy of the lungs, breast, pancreas, or prostate, or melanoma [18].…”

“…For all the above mentioned reasons, 18 F-FDG-PET was performed, and it showed multiple areas of uptake in correspondence with the spleen nodules.…”

“…The liver had a normal US appearance with no detectable focal lesions. 18 F-FDG-PET was performed with a GE Discovery scanner. Images were acquired 45 min after i.v.…”

Epidermoid cyst of spleen: 2 cases

“…Radyolojik tetkiklerden tomografi ve ultrason ile dalakta kistik oluşum tespit edilmesi olası iken, epitelyal kist ile parazitik kist ayırıcı tanısı yapılamayabilir (9) . Sonuç olarak, olgularımızın birinde ön tanıda kist hidatik düşünülmüştür.…”