CASE 557 Published on 06.11.2000

Splenosis consecutive to blunt trauma

Section

Chest imaging

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

M. Wintermark, P. Schnyder

Patient

44 years, male

Categories

No Area of Interest ; Imaging Technique CT

No Procedure ; No Special Focus ;

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Clinical History

Left diaphragmatic rupture and splenic fracture consecutive to a fall from a height

Imaging Findings

44-year-old male patient who fell from a 5-m bridge and with subsequent left diaphragmatic rupture and splenic fracture

Discussion

Either as a result of the impact or of direct laceration by a fractured rib, splenic lesions occur in about 50% of splenic herniation through a diaphragmatic rupture. Autotransplantation of fragments of splenic tissue onto the pleura may occur after a diaphragmatic injury associated with splenic rupture. These fragments may be identified on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. This condition is termed "intrathoracic splenosis".

Differential Diagnosis List

Intrathoracic and abdominal splenosis consecutive to blunt traumatic rupture of diaphragm and spleen

Final Diagnosis

Intrathoracic and abdominal splenosis consecutive to blunt traumatic rupture of diaphragm and spleen

References

[1] Dee PM (1992)
The radiology of chest trauma.
Radiol Clin North Am 30: 291-306. (PMID: 1535858)

[2] Normand JP, Rioux M, Dumont M, et al (1993)
Thoracic splenosis after blunt trauma: frequency and imaging findings.
AJR 161: 739-741. (PMID: 8372748)

[3] Wintermark M, Schnyder P (2000) Trauma of the diaphragm. In Schnyder P, Wintermark M. Radiology of blunt trauma of the chest. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 29-43.

Case information

URL:	https://eurorad.org/case/557
DOI:	10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.557
ISSN:	1563-4086

Figure 1

Intrathoracic and abdominal splenosis consecutive to blunt trauma

Thoracic and abdominal spiral CT (3-mm) obtained 15 months after the trauma demonstrates three well-defined, round, 1- to 2-cm, contrast-enhanced nodules (arrows), featuring intrathoracic and abdominal splenosis (From Wintermark M, Schnyder P (2000) Trauma of the diaphragm. In Schnyder P, Wintermark M. Radiology of blunt trauma of the chest. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 29-43)