Intrapancreatic accessory spleen

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Pancreatic solid tumors are a significant diagnostic challenge, often requiring advanced imaging and pathological analysis.
• Neuroendocrine tumors are among the differential diagnoses for pancreatic nodules.

Observation:

• An incidental finding of a 12mm solid nodule in the pancreatic tail was detected via abdominal ultrasound in an asymptomatic 79-year-old woman.
• Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the solid nature of the pancreatic tumor.

Findings:

• Pathological examination revealed the pancreatic nodule to be ectopic splenic tissue, not a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
• This represents a rare instance of splenic tissue located within the pancreas.

Implications:

• Ectopic splenic tissue in the pancreas should be included in the differential diagnosis for pancreatic solid tumors.
• Accurate diagnosis is crucial to avoid unnecessary pancreatic resections for benign ectopic tissue.