What is the reason for accessory spleen?
Accessory spleens are congenital and form as a result of failure of fusion of multiple buds of splenic tissue in the dorsal mesogastrium in the fifth week of embryonic life. They have their own blood supply, which is usually from a branch of the splenic artery.
Is an accessory spleen normal?
An accessory spleen is an ectopic mass of healthy splenic tissue separate from the main body of the spleen. The false fusion of some buds of splenic tissue in the dorsal mesogastrium during embryologic phase is the reason. Of the general population, 10% to 15% may have an accessory spleen.
What does an accessory spleen look like?
An accessory spleen is a small nodule of splenic tissue found apart from the main body of the spleen. Accessory spleens are found in approximately 10 percent of the population and are typically around 1 centimetre in diameter. They may resemble a lymph node or a small spleen.
What is an accessory spleen diagnosis?
Accessory spleen is a congenital anomaly characterized by ectopic splenic tissue separated from the main body of the spleen. This is found commonly, in 10–30% of autopsy studies, although patients are often asymptomatic and diagnosis is incidental to other abdominal pathology [1].
Can a tumor be mistaken for an accessory spleen?
The accessory spleen is a common congenital anomaly, typically asymptomatic and harmless to the patient. However, in some clinical cases, this anomaly becomes significant as it can be mistaken for a tumour or lymph node and be missed during a therapeutic splenectomy.
Do accessory spleens grow?
Unlike some other organs, like the liver, the spleen does not grow back (regenerate) after it is removed. Up to 30% of people have a second spleen (called an accessory spleen). These are usually very small, but may grow and function when the main spleen is removed.
Can tumor be mistaken for accessory spleen?
Accessory spleen is a congenital anomaly, almost locate in the splenic hilum (75%) and the pancreatic tail (20%) (3), the others may locate in omentum, small intestine, mesentery and testis. They are often mimicked pancreatic or gastrointestinal tumors, adrenal masses, and even testicular tumors (4).
Is an accessory spleen harmful?
One piece often is smaller than the other and is referred to as an accessory spleen. Multiple (accessory) spleens do not cause medical problems, and nothing is done about them. Rarely, accessory spleens may be confused with tumors.
What is an accessory spleen and where is it usually found?
An accessory spleen may be pulled by splenic ligaments to ectopic locations. They are always located on the left side of the abdomen due to rotation of the spleen during embryogenesis. The sites where an accessory spleen is commonly found is the hilum of the spleen in 75% of cases and near the tail of pancreas in 20%.
Can a Splenule be cancerous?
There is a type of cancer that develops in the spleen. The medical term for it is splenic marginal zone lymphoma – SMZL for short. It is a rare cancer, comprising only about two percent of all lymphomas.
What is an Intrapancreatic accessory spleen?
An intrapancreatic accessory spleen is a splenunculus within the pancreatic parenchyma. Differentiating this finding from other pancreatic neoplasms is important to avoid unnecessary surgery.
What happens if you have an extra spleen?
Multiple (accessory) spleens do not cause medical problems, and nothing is done about them. Rarely, accessory spleens may be confused with tumors. They usually can be definitely identified by radionuclide liver-spleen scans.
Can an accessory spleen grow?
What is a small accessory spleen?
Accessory spleen is a common congenital anomaly which is usually asymptomatic but might present clinically as an abdominal mass related to complications such as torsion, spontaneous rupture, haemorrhage and cyst formation Knowledge of splenic variations and anomalies is important to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and …
What is the most common neuroendocrine tumor?
Insulinoma. Insulinomas are the most common functioning pancreatic endocrine tumors.
How is a neuroendocrine tumor diagnosed?
You might undergo imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT and MRI , to create pictures of your tumor. For neuroendocrine tumors, pictures are sometimes created using positron emission tomography (PET) with a radioactive tracer that’s injected into a vein. Procedures to remove a sample of cells for testing (biopsy).
What is an accessory spleen on a CT scan?
CT scan of an accessory spleen (in center of image) between the spleen and left kidney. An accessory spleen is a small nodule of splenic tissue found apart from the main body of the spleen. Accessory spleens are found in approximately 10 percent of the population and are typically around 1 centimetre in diameter.
Which ultrasound findings are characteristic of Pelvic spleen (ectopic spleen)?
Ultrasound images reveal absence of the spleen and left kidney in left hypochondrium. A structure showing echogenicity and texture similiar to the spleen was seen in left iliac fossa next to the urinary bladder. These ultrasound images are diagnostic of pelvic spleen (ectopic spleen). The left kidney was absent in this case.
What does an enlarged spleen look like on an ultrasound?
Ultrasound Appearances. The spleen has a homogeneous appearance. When it becomes enlarged it loses this shape and, as it expands, it becomes very rounded, sometimes appears extending beyond the Left kidney. Normal Adult Spleen Size <13 cm superior to inferior axis; 6-7cm in the medial to lateral axis; 5 to 6cm in the anterior to posterior plane.
What is the treatment for accessory spleens?
Accessory spleens generally do not require any form of treatment 6. They are resected together with the spleen when performing a total splenectomy for conditions such as blood dyscrasias and hemoglobinopathy.