Unexpected post-operative haemorrhage: Could it be splenosis?

Area of Science:

• Pathology
• Surgical Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Ectopic splenic tissue includes accessory spleen, polysplenia, and splenosis.
• Splenosis incidence is higher than previously believed.
• Typically asymptomatic, splenosis is found incidentally.

Observation:

• A case of intra-abdominal splenosis discovered incidentally.
• Biopsy of the splenotic tissue led to significant post-operative hemorrhage.
• This highlights the importance of pre-operative evaluation.

Findings:

• Splenosis can mimic peritoneal metastatic disease on imaging.
• Biopsy of asymptomatic nodules can lead to complications.
• Accurate pre-operative diagnosis is crucial.

Implications:

• Splenosis should be considered in patients with asymptomatic intra-abdominal nodules.
• Pre-operative imaging and history are vital to avoid misdiagnosis.
• Recognizing splenosis prevents unnecessary invasive procedures and potential complications.