Accessory spleen
| Accessory spleen | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Supernumerary spleen, splenule, splenunculus |
| CT scan of an accessory spleen (circular object in center of image) between the spleen and left kidney. | |
| Specialty | Medical genetics |
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[1] and are typically around 1 centimeter in diameter. They may resemble a lymph node or a small spleen. They form either by the result of developmental anomalies or trauma.[2] They are medically significant in that they may result in interpretation errors in diagnostic imaging[2] or continued symptoms after therapeutic splenectomy.[1] Polysplenia is the presence of multiple accessory spleens rather than one normal spleen.
- ^ a b Moore, Keith L. (1992). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-683-06133-8.
- ^ a b Gayer G; Zissin R; Apter S; Atar E; Portnoy O; Itzchak Y (August 2001). "CT findings in congenital anomalies of the spleen". British Journal of Radiology. 74 (884): 767–772. doi:10.1259/bjr.74.884.740767. PMID 11511506.