[Imaging diagnosis of splenic metastasis]

The splenic metastasis of malignant diseases is uncommon. The relative paucity of this condition is thought to be due to the property of the spleen as an organ of immunity and the sharp angle of the splenic artery at its origin from the coeliac axis making it difficult for the tumor emboli to enter the spleen. The primary sites of 15 splenic metastases were: 7 (43%) ovarian tumors, and 8 (57%) others. All 15 patients had been repeatedly examined by ultrasonography. 6 patients were shown to give hyperechoic, 6 hypoechoic and 3 nonechoic findings. 10 patients had been examined by CT scan. Except one splenic metastasis of malignant teratoma with calcification, reduced density lesions were seen on ordinary and enhanced CT scans in all. We are of the opinion ther the most common route of splenic metastasis is hematogenous or direct seeding. The high incidence of splenic metastasis in gynecologic tumors may be related to their particular biologic behavior of being prone to direct seeding.