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Primary Splenic Epidermoid Cyst: A Case Report
TKeyah T Gray1, Vijaykumar Patel2, Megan Timpone2
1General Surgery, Ross University School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA.
Cureus
|April 6, 2022
Summary
Primary splenic epidermal cysts are rare, often incidental findings. This case highlights a symptomatic splenic cyst presenting as a mass, emphasizing diagnostic and management considerations for these unusual splenic lesions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
- Abdominal Imaging
Background:
- Splenic cysts are rare, with primary epidermal cysts (Type I) being particularly uncommon.
- These lesions are typically asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions.
Observation:
- A case of a symptomatic primary splenic epidermal cyst presenting as a left upper quadrant mass.
- Symptoms included sharp pain, early satiety, and constipation, deviating from the usual incidental finding.
- The cyst's large size posed management challenges, necessitating a complex surgical approach.
Findings:
- The report reviews splenic cyst classification, focusing on Type I cysts and their etiology.
- Surgical management options for splenic cysts are discussed, noting historical controversies and current indications for splenectomy.
- Percutaneous drainage is explored as a potential temporizing measure for large splenic cysts prior to definitive treatment.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering symptomatic splenic cysts in the differential diagnosis of left upper quadrant masses.
- The successful, albeit complex, management highlights the need for tailored surgical strategies in managing large or symptomatic splenic lesions.
- Further research into optimal management pathways for symptomatic splenic cysts is warranted to refine treatment protocols.
