Sonography of the accessory spleen.

The sonographic features of 20 accessory spleens in 19 patients are presented. They are round or oval solid structures with their echogenicity similar to that of the main spleen. They are surrounded by high-amplitude interfaces that separate them from adjacent parenchymal organs. Sonographic demonstration of blood supply to the accessory spleens from the splenic artery or vein was diagnostic and was possible in 90% of the cases. Sonography could be used preoperatively in detecting and locating accessory spleens in patients who may need splenectomy for hematologic disease.