Thoracic splenosis.
BACKGROUND
Thoracic splenosis is an uncommon side effect of thoracoabdominal trauma involving injury to the diaphragm and spleen. Only 20 patients with a similar problem have been reported previously.


METHODS
Two patients with thoracic splenosis were studied.


RESULTS
One of the patients had undergone thoracotomy for resection of a "pulmonary nodule". The other remains under observation.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of a pulmonary nodule in a patient with history of injury to the diaphragm and spleen should arouse suspicion of splenosis. Appropriate investigation may prevent an unnecessary and potentially harmful operation.
Madjar
S
S
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, E Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
Weissberg
D
D
D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013154:Spleen / Q000293:injuries*; D017890:Splenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed