CT imaging features of abdominal splenosis after splenectomy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the incidence and CT imaging features of abdominal splenosis with a previous splenectomy.Methods 94 consecutive patients with a history of splenectomy underwent abdominal contrast CT examination between April 2010 and December 2012 and were recruited for this study.These patients were devided into two groups according to the reason for which splenectomy was performed.Descriptive statistics were calculated for clinical incidence of abdominal splenosis,and subsequently CT imaging features and diagnosis of abdominal splenosis were discussed.Results In this series,29 cases (30.85％) with abdominal splenosis were found in 94 patients.Abdominal splenosis was found in all of 20 cases with more than one year history of posttraumatic splenectomy,and in 17.31％ (9 of 52) of cases with more than one year history of non-traumatic splenectomy (P ＜ 0.05).There were 60 nodules found on CT examinations in these 29 cases.All nodules were 50 mm or smaller.All nodules appeared of homogeneous soft-tissue density on plain CT scan.The nodules showed significant enhancement during arterial phase on postcontrast CT scan,with continuous significant homogeneous enhancement during portal venous phase.Conclusions Abdominal splenosis following posttraumatic splenectomy are more common than previously suggested.Knowledge of typical CT imaging appearances and the history of splenectomy may prevent mistaking as tumors. Key words: Splenectomy ; Postoperative complications ; Tomography, X-ray computed