Le Tuan Linh1, Thieu-Thi Tra My2, Bui Van Lenh1, Tran-Van Giang2, Luong Viet Bang3, Nguyen Minh Duc4. 1. Department of Radiology, Ha Noi Medical University Hospital, Ha Noi, Viet Nam; Department of Radiology, Ha Noi Medical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. 2. Department of Radiology, Ha Noi Medical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. 3. Department of Pathology, Ha Noi Medical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. 4. Department of Radiology, Ha Noi Medical University, Ha Noi, Viet Nam; Department of Radiology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. Electronic address: bsnguyenminhduc@pnt.edu.vn.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: An accessory spleen (AS), a common condition, is usually located in the hilar region of the spleen. ASs are not often large; however, after splenectomy, the initially inactive AS may become reactive and hypertrophic. Therefore, an AS can be misdiagnosed as a neoplastic tumor and removed unnecessarily. An undiagnosed abdominal mass located in the spleen site in a patient who has had a splenectomy must be managed carefully. Computed tomography (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide useful information for the diagnosis, preventing unnecessary surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report the case of a 38-year-old female with an enlargement of AS after splenectomy that was misdiagnosed as a primary tumor of the pancreas and managed by a nonessential surgery. CONCLUSION: An AS should be added to the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic tail tumor for patients with prior splenectomy in order to avoid nonessential surgery to ensure the patient's safety.
INTRODUCTION: An accessory spleen (AS), a common condition, is usually located in the hilar region of the spleen. ASs are not often large; however, after splenectomy, the initially inactive AS may become reactive and hypertrophic. Therefore, an AS can be misdiagnosed as a neoplastic tumor and removed unnecessarily. An undiagnosed abdominal mass located in the spleen site in a patient who has had a splenectomy must be managed carefully. Computed tomography (CT) scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide useful information for the diagnosis, preventing unnecessary surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report the case of a 38-year-old female with an enlargement of AS after splenectomy that was misdiagnosed as a primary tumor of the pancreas and managed by a nonessential surgery. CONCLUSION: An AS should be added to the differential diagnosis of a pancreatic tail tumor for patients with prior splenectomy in order to avoid nonessential surgery to ensure the patient's safety.