Splenogonadal fusion: a case report

Accessory splenic tissue is a commonly encountered phenomenon in medical literature. Typically, these accessory spleens are found in close proximity to the main spleen, either in the hilum or within the surrounding ligaments. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that they can also be located in unusual sites such as the jejunum wall, mesentery, pelvis, and, exceptionally rarely, the scrotum. The first documented case of accessory splenic tissue in the scrotum was reported by Sneath in 1913 and is associated with a rare congenital anomaly called splenogonadal fusion. This report describes an infant who presented with a scrotal mass noted by his mother and after examination, investigations, and surgical exploration, it was revealed to be splenogonadal fusion.

An 8-month-old Caucasian male patient presented with a mass in the left testicle and bluish discoloration of the scrotum, which had been incidentally noticed in the previous 2 months. The general physical examination was unremarkable. Other than a palpable scrotal mass that was related to the upper pole of the testis, the rest of examination was unremarkable. Imaging revealed that this mass originated from the tail of the epididymis without infiltrating the testis and tumor markers were normal. On inguinal exploration, a reddish brown 2 × 2 cm mass was found attached to the upper pole and was completely excised without causing any harm to the testis, vessels, or epididymis. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the presence of intratesticular ectopic splenic tissue.

Although uncommon, splenogonadal fusion can be included in the differential diagnosis of a testicular swelling. Accurate diagnosis allows for appropriate treatment planning which helps to avoid unnecessary radical orchiectomy, which can have a significant impact on the patient's reproductive and psychological wellbeing.