Splenosis: Non-invasive diagnosis of a great mimicker

Splenosis is defined as the location of heterotopic splenic tissue implants in the abdominal cavity or other atypical location. This entity may mimic different benign and malignant processes, which may cause an inappropriate management of the patient. A previous history of splenic trauma or splenectomy should introduce this entity in the differential diagnosis in these patients.

Clinical features and imaging findings of two cases of splenosis are presented and a review of the published literature on this entity is made.

Based on the behavior of the lesions in different imaging techniques and taking into account the relevant history of previous splenectomy, it was possible to establish the final diagnosis of intraabdominal splenosis.

Splenosis is an entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with prior history of splenectomy and/or spleen trauma to avoid improper handling of them. Imaging techniques are key tools in non-invasive diagnosis of this entity.