Splenosis mimicking tumor recurrence in renal cell carcinoma: detection on selective spleen scintigraphy.
A 2-year-old boy had been operated on for a giant renal cell carcinoma including splenectomy because of disrupture of the splenic capsule. During a follow-up examination, 3 nodules were detected by ultrasound in the splenorenal area. This gave reason to suspect tumor recurrence. Considering the possibility of splenosis, a selective spleen scan using denatured red blood cells was performed as a final diagnostic step. This method confirmed the nodules as representing splenic tissue. Splenosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid masses in the postsplenectomy patient.
Pumberger
W
W
Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Wiesbauer
P
P
Leitha
T
T
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013156:Splenectomy; D017890:Splenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*