[Epidermoid splenic cyst--state of the art]

In order to understand the features of splenic epidermoid cysts and their possible associated complications, four cases of splenic epidermoid cyst are presented in this report, two in children, one of them appeared in a child affected by a EBV and BH sepsis complicated with splenic abscesses due to scratch cat disease. The other two cases were adults. According to our histophatological findings, the pathogenesis may be related to a citodiferentation from mesothelium to squamous metaplasia. Our current knowledge about the role of spleen on immunological activity, mainly against capsulated germs, and the increase risk of overwhelming postesplenectomy septicemia have contributed to our conservative attitude about splenic surgery. We believe that management during the neonatal period should be conservative because cysts tend to disappear in most cases. In older children with a small cyst our recommendation is punction-aspiration and sclerotherapy, with ultrasound follow-up control.