Pelvic splenosis in a patient with a 20-year history of splenectomy

Abstract

Pelvic splenosis, also called ectopic pelvic spleen, is a rarely reported clinical condition. Pelvic splenosis refers to autotransplantation of splenic tissue resulting from seeding into the pelvic space that typically occurs after trauma. This report presents the case of a 39-year-old male with a rectal lesion. After a laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectosigmoid colon with colorectal anastomosis, the lesion was resected and diagnosed as an ectopic pelvic spleen. Pelvic splenosis requires no treatment in most cases. Surgery is considered only if it is accompanied with acute complications. When the diagnosis remains unclear, further biopsy or laparoscopy is recommended. If pelvic splenosis is confirmed, careful follow-up is beneficial. Finally, pelvic splenosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses in patients with a history of splenectomy.