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.
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tel Aviv University Sackler School of Medicine, E Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
S
S
Madjar
D
D
Weissberg
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