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Splenic hamartomas in two children
Li-Feng Zhang, Jin-Fa Tou, Xiang Wang
1Department of General Surgery, Children Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. qinqi771@163.com.
Insights
Pediatric splenic hamartomas, rare benign tumors, can cause abdominal pain. Diagnosis requires imaging and histology, with successful surgical removal leading to uneventful recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pediatric Radiology
- Pediatric Pathology
Background:
- Splenic hamartomas are rare benign neoplasms of the spleen.
- They are exceptionally uncommon in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases (boys aged 6 and 8) presented with left upper quadrant abdominal pain.
- Preoperative imaging included ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and contrasted computed tomography (CT) scans, revealing splenic masses.
Findings:
- Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of splenic hamartoma in both cases.
- Both patients underwent total splenectomy with no postoperative complications.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the importance of considering splenic hamartoma in the differential diagnosis of pediatric splenic masses.
- Multi-modality imaging aids in preoperative assessment, but definitive diagnosis relies on histopathological examination.
- Surgical management, such as splenectomy, offers a favorable outcome for pediatric splenic hamartomas.
Abstract:
Hamartomas are extremely rare splenic benign tumours in children. We present two cases, both in boys (6 and 8 years old), with left upper quadrant abdominal pain that were otherwise asymptomatic. Both patients showed a splenic mass on preoperative ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One patient had a focal splenic mass that was identified preoperatively with contrasted computed tomography (CT) scans. Both patients underwent a total splenectomy. Although multi-modality imaging findings were described preoperatively, the final diagnosis in each case was splenic hamartoma based on histology and immunohistochemistry. The postoperative courses were uneventful.
