Splenosis simulating a renal mass
Pérez Fentes, D.; Pazos González, G.; Blanco Parra, M.; Pubul Núñez, V.; Toucedo Caamaño, V.ín.; Puñal Pereira, A.; Novás Castro, S.ín.; Lamas Cedrón, P.; Villar Núñez, M.
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia 62(5): 396-399
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-0614 PMID: 19721176 Document Number: 630144
To report a case of splenosis and to review its diagnosis and treatment in the related literature. We report the case of an asymptomatic 49-year-old man with splenectomy performed when he was 22. Lumbo-sacral MRI showed a left perirenal mass probably with renal origin. CT scan ruled out the renal origin. Due to previous splenectomy, splenosis was suspected. 99mTc-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes scan confirmed the diagnosis. No treatment was applied. Clinicians should be aware that unknown origin masses, mainly in the peritoneal cavity, with a history of previous splenic trauma or splenectomy, might represent splenosis. A non-invasive diagnosis can be achieved with 99mTc-sulphur colloid scan, 99mTc-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes or ferrumoxide-enhanced MRI, thus avoiding unnecessary surgical explorations.