Splenic hamartoma: a case report

Splenic hamartomas are rare benign tumours composed of an abnormal mixture of normal components of the spleen. Generally asymptomatic, they are in most insances discovered as incidental findings at laparotomy or autopsy. We report a case in which sonography disclosed a heterogenous splenic mass, partially cystic, with some echogenic foci thought to represent calcification. CT was unremarkable, d detecting a spontaneously isodense mass with a small peripheral calcification. Scintigraphy performed with sulphur colloids demonstrated an area of increase uptake. MRI disclosed a slightly hypointense mass on T1-weighted spin-echo images which was predominantly hypointense with a more isointense central area on long TR/TE images. On gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images the mass displayed a heterogenous hyperintensity with prolonged enhancement. Biopsy was inconclusive and the final diagnosis was achieved only with splenectomy.Correspondence to: P. O. Pinto