Imaging features of pathologically proven pediatric splenic masses

Splenic masses present a diagnostic challenge to radiologists and clinicians alike, with a relative paucity of data correlating radiologic findings to pathological diagnosis in the pediatric population. To illustrate splenic mass imaging findings and approximate lesion prevalence, we retrospectively reviewed all splenectomies and splenic biopsies for splenic masses at a single academic pediatric hospital over a 10-year period in patients 18 years and younger. A total of 31 splenic masses were analyzed. Lesion prevalence, pathology and imaging features associated with sampled splenic masses are described. The lesions encountered include benign splenic cysts (9), vascular anomalies (7), hamartoma (3), leukemia/lymphoma (3), granulomata (3) and metastasis (2). We also identified single cases of angiosarcoma, splenic cord capillary hemangioma, congestive hemorrhage, and benign smooth muscle neoplasm.