title: Imaging of the spleen: what the clinician needs to know.
abstract: The spleen is considered 'the forgotten organ' among radiologists and clinicians, although it is well visualised on abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, the spleen is commonly involved in a wide range of pathologic disorders. These include congenital anomalies, infectious and inflammatory diseases, vascular disorders, benign and malignant tumours, and systemic disorders. In this review, we focus on the key imaging findings of the normal spleen, its variants, as well as relevant congenital and acquired abnormalities. It is of utmost importance to recognise and correctly interpret the variable spectrum of abnormalities that may involve the spleen, in order to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and to guide adequate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Leuven University Hospital, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. thomas.vancauwenberghe@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vancauwenberghe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Snoeckx
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vanbeckevoort
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dymarkowski
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Vanhoenacker
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013154:Spleen / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000473:pathology; D017890:Splenosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
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