Intrapancreatic accessory spleen

Summary Conclusion: The clinical significance of intrapancreatic accessory spleens resides in the mimicry of pancreatic cancer. Radionuclide tests (Octreotide scan and Tc99m sulfur colloid scan) should be undertaken to distinguish these lesions from neuroendocrine tumors, hypervascular metastases and pancreatic carcinoma. If the tests are equivocal, diagnostic laparotomy or laparoscopy is recommended. Background: Despite its relatively common occurrence, intrapancreatic ectopic splenic tissue is rarely deted owing to its asymptomatic nature. Methods: We report a case of a clinically asymptomatic patient in which abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a mass of 1.5 cm in diameter in the distal pancreas. The tumor markers CA 19-9 and carcinomebryonic antigen (CEA) were slightly elevated, and pancreatic neoplasm was suspected. Results: Left pancreatic resection and splenectomy were performed. The removed specimen disclosed the presence of an accessory spleen within the pancreatic tail.     

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen: a diagnostic dilemma

Background

As intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is rarely encountered during clinical practice, the aim of this review was to summarize the epidemiologic features, the diagnosis and treatment of IPAS.

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen： A case report and review of the literature

Here, we report a case of intrapancreatic accessory spleen confirmed by pathologic diagnosis and discuss its differential diagnosis and surgical management with a review of the literature.     

A case of intrapancreatic accessory spleen mistaken as a pancreatic mass due to different enhancing pattern from normal spleen

Most cases of accessory spleen show similar features as normal spleen in imaging studies. However, some accessory spleen has unusual scan feature which can be misdiagnosed. We present a case of intrapancreatic accessory spleen that was discovered incidentally during a workup for abdominal pain in a 47-year-old woman. CT and MRI revealed a different enhancing pattern from that of the spleen. Further evaluation with endoscopic ultrasonography failed to identify the pancreatic mass. Therefore, it was surgically removed and diagnosed pathologically as an accessory spleen.     

Intravenous leiomyomatosis: A rare cause of intracardiac mass

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is an unusual clinical condition characterized by histologically benign smooth muscle lesions extending from the uterus into pelvic and systemic veins and, more rarely, into the right cardiac chambers. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with a three-week history of dyspnea on exertion, shortness of breath and fatigue. Echocardiography showed a large mobile mass in the right atrium prolapsing into the right ventricle and extending to the inferior vena cava. A computed tomography scan revealed a large mass extending from the right atrium to the inferior vena cava and through the systemic veins as far as the popliteal veins. A presumptive diagnosis of large thrombus was made; the correct diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac involvement was obtained only after surgical resection and histologic examination.     

Isolated spleen agenesis: a rare cause of thrombocytosis mimicking essential thrombocythemia

Thrombocytosis is a common feature of myeloproliferative disorders but may also result from various conditions including chronic iron deficiency, hemorrhage, chronic inflammation and splenectomy. We report two cases of secondary thrombocytosis caused by isolated and congenital asplenia, mimicking essential thrombocythemia. These two adult cases of spleen agenesis were unexpected. We conclude that in thrombocytosis without clinical evidence of splenomegaly, attentive screening of blood in search of Howell-Jolly bodies and abdominal ultrasonography should always be performed not only to detect mild spleen enlargement but also to make sure of the presence of this organ.     

A rare cause of steatohepatitis.

We present a rare case of steatohepatitis due to neutral lipid storage disorder in a 1.5-year-old male presenting with intermittent fever, hepatomegaly and dark-coloured urine. On examination, there was ichthyosis involving both the limbs. Liver biopsy showed steatohepatitis. The peripheral blood smear revealed fat vacuoles in the cytoplasm of leucocytes, characteristic of the Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome. Awareness of this condition helps in prompt diagnosis and avoids unnecessary further investigations.     

A rare cause of cough.

A patient receiving amiodarone for longstanding ventricular dysrhythmias presented with idiopathic chylothorax. During drainage of chylothorax for pleurodesis, serial plasma amiodarone concentrations declined while pleural fluid concentrations remained stable. Chylous transport of amiodarone and other lipid-bound drugs should be recognized to avert complications during chylothorax drainage.