Calcification in Thoracic Splenosis

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Pathology
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Splenosis is the ectopic splenic tissue implantation, typically post-splenic rupture.
• Thoracic splenosis involves ectopic splenic tissue within the thoracic cavity, often from trauma or surgery.
• It is frequently asymptomatic and discovered incidentally years later via imaging.

Observation:

• Splenosis is often misdiagnosed as malignancy on initial imaging.
• This report details a rare case of thoracic splenosis with both calcified and non-calcified nodules.
• Previous reports of calcification in thoracic splenosis are scarce, with limited CT imaging.

Findings:

• Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed calcified and non-calcified nodules.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering splenosis in the differential diagnosis of thoracic nodules.
• Histopathological confirmation is crucial for definitive diagnosis.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of thoracic splenosis avoids unnecessary invasive procedures.
• Radiologists and surgeons should be aware of splenosis' varied presentations.
• Further research into imaging characteristics of calcified splenosis is warranted.