Focal splenic defects.

Review of more than 2,000 liver-spleen scans revealed 18 cases of focal splenic defects. Three major categories are defined: lymphoma, infarctions, and metastatic tumor. Clinical presentation is important in determining the precise etiology, and a differential diagnosis is presented. It appears that: (a) reticulum cell carcinoma is as likely to cause defects as is Hodgkin's disease; (b) splenic infarction is related to pancreatic disease through the splenic vein; and (c) malignant melanoma is the most common secondary deposit as detected by scanning.