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A Giant Urachal Accessory Spleen: Case Report
Wenmin Ma1, Xuejin Ma2, Lin Jiang2
1Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China, mwm_vin@163.com.
Urologia Internationalis
|June 15, 2023
Summary
Accessory spleen (AS), extra splenic tissue, is rarely found in the urachus. This case highlights the importance of accurate preoperative imaging to distinguish AS from urachal neoplasms, preventing misdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures.
Area of Science:
- Embryology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Background:
- Accessory spleen (AS) comprises ectopic splenic tissue, arising from embryonic remnants, sharing structure and function with the main spleen.
- AS commonly presents near the spleen or pancreas tail, with rare occurrences in the pelvic cavity.
Observation:
- A highly unusual case of accessory spleen (AS) was identified within the urachus.
- Initial CT imaging suggested a large urachal neoplasm due to the mass effect.
Findings:
- Postoperative pathological examination definitively confirmed the urachal mass as accessory spleen (AS).
- This represents the first reported instance of AS originating in the urachus.
Implications:
- Urachal accessory spleen (AS) can be mistaken for malignancy, necessitating careful preoperative diagnosis.
- Accurate imaging is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis, potentially avoiding invasive procedures like biopsies and surgeries.
