Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic: Hepatic splenosis: a rare differential of a liver mass in an HBV endemic area

Splenic scintigraphy—reloaded: Pulmonary and pleural lesions proven to be splenosis by heat-damaged erythrocyte scintigraphy

We report the case of a 60-year-old patient whose computed tomography revealed multiple pleural foci that were classified as potentially malignant. After revealing traumatic splenectomy in the patient's history, the differential diagnosis of splenosis was considered and a 99m-techentium heat-damaged autologous red blood cells scintigraphy performed. This conventional method can be used to reliably make an exact diagnosis avoiding more expensive or invasive methods.

Intrahepatic splenosis: a world review

Splenosis is defined as the autotransplantation of viable splenic tissue throughout various anatomic compartments. Intrahepatic splenosis (IHS) is rare and diagnosis is often challenging. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review on IHS. A literature review was performed on PubMed database. Fifty-six articles with 59 reported cases were included. The majority of the patients were male (n = 49, 83.1%). Median age was 51 years. Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) included hepatitis B (n = 8, 13.6%) and cirrhosis (n = 12, 20.3%). The majority of the patients were asymptomatic (62.7%) and did not have risk factors for HCC (55.9%). We report a diagnostic triad for IHS: 1) previous history of abdominal trauma or splenectomy, 2) absence of risk factors for liver malignancy and 3) typical imaging features. Non-invasive diagnostic tests such as technetium-99m-tagged heat-damaged red blood cell scintigraphy are useful in diagnosis. Malignancy should be ruled out in the presence of risk factors for HCC.

Hepatic splenosis: Rare yet important - A case report and literature review

Hepatic splenosis is an uncommon condition that occurs following traumatic splenic rupture or splenectomy. The case of a 41-year-old male patient with multiple isolated liver masses indistinguishable from primary and metastatic liver tumours is reported. Following laparotomy, the liver lesions were resected and histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of hepatic splenosis. At an 18-month follow-up examination, no abnormalities in routine blood test, liver function, and liver computed tomography (CT) scanning were observed. After review of the literature, the following diagnostic criteria for hepatic splenosis are proposed: (1) a history of splenic trauma or splenectomy; (2) lesion(s) with a surrounding rim, particularly near the liver capsule identified by CT scanning; (3) findings on superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging or technetium-99m heat-damaged red cell scanning; and (4) histopathological findings (needle biopsy or surgical pathology). The following diagnostic process is also proposed: suspect diagnosis when criteria 1 and 2 are met; make diagnosis when criterion 3 is met; confirm diagnosis when criterion 4 is met. Laparotomy is recommended for either diagnosis or treatment when invasive procedures are necessary.

Gastric fundus splenosis with hemangioma masquerading as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with schistosomiasis and cirrhosis who underwent splenectomy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Splenosis is the heterotopic auto-transplantation of the splenic tissues. Gastric splenosis in a rare location mimics a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Gastric splenosis with hemangioma has not been reported throughout the literature.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of a 74-year-old schistosomiasis cirrhosis splenectomy woman diagnosed with gastric fundus mass. Preoperative computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed findings suggestive of a GIST.

DIAGNOSES

The mass located in the gastric fundus muscularis propria, measuring 3.9 × 2.8 × 2.4 cm with a dark red color, was removed by surgery. In the mass, a 1 × 1-cm red-purple nodule was also found. On microscopic examination, a well-formed splenic tissue divided into two compartments-white pulp and red pulp-separated by an ill-defined interphase known as the marginal zone. However, a nodule in the heterotopic spleen was mainly composed of larger thin-walled muscular vessels. The final diagnosis was gastric splenosis with hemangioma.

INTERVENTIONS

After discussion in a multidisciplinary conference, the patient was considered for a GIST resection under gastroscopy. In the process of peeling, the surface of the mucosal, submucosal, muscle layers and the tumor surface were diffusely oozing. The effect of electrocoagulation and hemostasis was extremely poor. Therefore, endoscopic surgery was arrested. After dealing with the patient's family, a combination of laparoscopic-gastroscope double-mirror surgery was decided in accordance with the principle of minimally invasive surgery to preserve the stomach. Owing to several adhesions and concealed the location of tumor, we stopped the double-mirror combination surgery plan. Considering the great possibility of a malignant GIST, we still decided to continue the traditional surgical resection. The tumor was then removed via surgery OUTCOMES:: The patient was favorable with healing and discharged on postoperative day 10.

LESSONS

Gastric splenosis with an associated hemangioma is the first well-documented case. Its pathogenesis may be direct implantation. Appropriate medical history taking and Tc-99 m heat-denatured RBC spleen scintigraphy (Tc-99MHDRS) are valuable for its diagnosis; however, pathology is the gold standard. Surgery is a reasonable treatment for gastric splenosis with hemangioma.