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Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension
Published on: November 15, 2024
Intrathoracic splenosis presenting as persistent chest pain.
Shinichi Fukuhara1, Samuel Tyagi, Jaime Yun
1Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 317 E,17th St,, New York, NY 10003, USA. shin922@gmail.com
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
|September 11, 2012
Summary
Thoracic splenosis, a rare condition from splenic injury, can cause chest pain even years after splenectomy. This case highlights an unusually large intrathoracic spleen causing symptoms, challenging typical asymptomatic presentations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Surgical Pathology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Thoracic splenosis is a rare condition resulting from diaphragmatic and splenic injury.
- It typically presents asymptomatically, often discovered incidentally.
- Surgical intervention is usually not required for asymptomatic cases.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male, previously splenectomized due to trauma 30 years prior, presented with worsening chest pain.
- Imaging revealed a large intrathoracic mass consistent with splenosis.
- The splenic tissue showed significant interval growth over time.
Findings:
- The patient's intrathoracic splenosis was symptomatic, presenting with chest pain.
- The splenic mass was of unprecedented size, potentially the largest reported.
- This case demonstrates a significant interval growth of splenic tissue post-splenectomy.
Implications:
- Symptomatic thoracic splenosis can occur years after initial injury and splenectomy.
- Unusually large or symptomatic thoracic splenosis may warrant further investigation and management.
- This case expands the understanding of the clinical spectrum and potential growth of thoracic splenosis.
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