Traumatic rupture of splenic tissue 13 years after splenectomy. A case report

Laparoscopic Resection of a Left Upper Quadrant Mass Leading to a Surprise Diagnosis

Background. Resplenectomy is most commonly done for the treatment of recurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to medical management due to the regrowth of a missed accessory spleen. Case Report. A 66-year-old male had undergone open splenectomy for traumatic rupture 40 years ago. He presented with a leiomyosarcoma of his leg, which was surgically removed. When he developed metastatic disease, chemotherapy was started. He developed left upper quadrant pain, and on CT scan, a 5 cm mass compatible with a sarcoma was found between the tail of the pancreas and the left adrenal gland. During laparoscopy, dense adhesion of the omentum to the abdominal wall and the stomach from his previous splenectomy was divided. The lesser sac was opened through the gastrocolic ligament, and the splenic flexure was taken down. Superior and dorsal to the tail of the pancreas next to the left adrenal gland, the mass was identified and carefully dissected out. The vascular pedicle, which originated from a side branch of the splenic vessels at the tail of the pancreas, was stapled. The gastric fundus showed multiple nodules, and therefore, a modified sleeve gastrectomy was done; also, a 2 cm nodule in segment 5 of the liver and an omental nodule were removed. The tumors and gastrectomy specimen were placed in an endobag and removed through a periumbilical mini-incision. The patient recovered without any complications from the procedure and his LUQ pain resolved. Pathology revealed no sarcoma metastases but accessory spleens in all specimens. Discussion. Splenosis with multiple implants within the abdomen after splenectomy for trauma is a rare condition. In our patient, this seems to have been triggered by chemotherapy for his sarcoma resulting in extramedullary hemopoiesis. Laparoscopic removal of accessory spleens can be safely done.

Accessory Spleen Fracture: Report of a Pediatric Case and Review of the Literature

Accessory spleen rupture may occur after blunt abdominal trauma or, more rarely, spontaneously. Although only few cases are described in adults, it is even more uncommon in children. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy with traumatic accessory spleen fracture. After a review of the literature, we discuss the diagnostic points that should raise the suspicion for accessory spleen fracture as well as how challenging the diagnosis by computed tomography can be.

Spontaneous hemorrhage from splenic tissue 13 years after total splenectomy: report of a case

A 33-year-old man suffered sudden abdominal distension without traumatic episodes. He had undergone total splenectomy for hereditary spherocytosis 13 years ago. He was in shock, and his hemoglobin level was 10.5 g/dl. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a giant mass in the left upper abdomen and extravasation of the contrast material into the mass. Excision of the mass was performed, and microscopic examination showed a giant hematoma surrounded by normal splenic tissue. We speculated that an accessory spleen or splenosis had enlarged for the 13 years and ruptured. The patient remained asymptomatic 4 months after the surgery. Spontaneous hemorrhage from accessory spleens or splenosis is extremely rare, and relevant case reports suggest that surgical resection of bleeding sites yields favorable prognosis although preoperative qualitative diagnosis seems to be difficult.

Recurrent ruptured spleen

Despite a history of previous splenectomy, splenic tissue can regenerate and present with symptoms of abdominal pain secondary to splenic rupture.

Regrowth of splenic tissue after splenectomy for trauma and splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura have been reported. However, rupture of splenic tissue, either spontaneous or traumatic, that requires a second surgical intervention for hemoperitoneum caused by a ruptured splenic nodule or splenosis has rarely been reported. We report the case of a 43-year-old man in whom hemoperitoneum developed 25 years after he underwent an open splenectomy, after a motor vehicle accident, that required removal of a recurrent ruptured splenotic nodule.