title: Splenogonadal fusion in an 18-month-old.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Splenogonadal fusion is rare abnormal congenital connection of splenic tissue and gonad. It commonly presents with either cryptorchidism or as a palpable mass. As a benign anomaly, orchiectomy is often unnecessary. Removal of the splenic component may be accomplished with preservation of the testicle.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 18-month-old boy presented with right cryptorchidism and left retractile testicle. Laparoscopic examination found a viable right testicle, and a successful orchiopexy was performed. The left testicle demonstrated splenogonadal fusion. Discontinuous accessory splenules were noted along the path of testicular descent. After confirmation from a radionucleotide liver-spleen scan the patient was brought back to the operating room for open excision of the adherent splenic tissue and orchiopexy of the testicle via an open inguinal approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Splenogonadal fusion is a rare condition, but may be suspected in children with cryptorchidism or palpable peri-testicular mass. As with the present patient, in most cases the splenic tissue may be successfully excised without injury to the testicle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. Electronic address: jpree001@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Preece
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sorokin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Urology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herz
mesh_terms: D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D056126:Orchiopexy / Q000379:methods*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013154:Spleen / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Cryptorchidism; Liver-spleen scan; Splenogonadal fusion