[Splenosis simulating a renal mass].
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of splenosis and to review its diagnosis and treatment in the related literature.


METHODS
We report the case of an asymptomatic 49-year-old man with splenectomy performed when he was 22. Lumbo-sacral MRI showed a left perirenal mass probably with renal origin.


RESULTS
CT scan ruled out the renal origin. Due to previous splenectomy, splenosis was suspected. 99mTc-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes scan confirmed the diagnosis. No treatment was applied.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware that unknown origin masses, mainly in the peritoneal cavity, with a history of previous splenic trauma or splenectomy, might represent splenosis. A non-invasive diagnosis can be achieved with 99mTc-sulphur colloid scan, 99mTc-labeled heat-damaged erythrocytes or ferrumoxide-enhanced MRI, thus avoiding unnecessary surgical explorations.
Pérez Fentes
Daniel
D
Servicio de Urología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España. danielfentes@yahoo.es
Pazos González
Gerardo
G
Blanco Parra
Miguel
M
Pubul Núñez
Virginia
V
Toucedo Caamaño
Valentín
V
Puñal Pereira
Ana
A
Novás Castro
Serafín
S
Lamas Cedrón
Pedro
P
Villar Núñez
Manuel
M
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017890:Splenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*