title: Pelvic splenosis mimicking ovarian metastasis of breast carcinoma: a case report.
abstract: Splenosis is the heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue that usually follows traumatic splenic rupture and splenectomy. Implanted splenic tissue may give rise to a mass or masses in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis which the clinician must distinguish from benign or malignant tumors. A 38-year-old multiparous woman presented for a routine gynecological examination during breast cancer treatment. She had undergone splenectomy following traumatic splenic rupture at the age of 13. Pelvic examination revealed a left adnexal mass. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a 39×56×40 mm diameter hyperechoic, hypervascular solid tumor on the left ovary. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The postoperative histological diagnosis was splenic tissue. Splenosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of previosly splenectomized patients who present with unexplained masses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Jale
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Metindir
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan Hüsnü
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Mersin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melda Zarife
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Bulut
keywords: Splenosis; adnexal mass; splenectomy