Learning objectives
List various lesions involving the spleen
Describe the imaging findings of these lesions
Discuss the radiologic differential diagnoses of these lesions
Background
The spleen is an organ of the hematological system and has a role in immune response,
storage of red blood cells and hematopoiesis.
Most splenic lesions are detected incidentally.
The spleen is considered ‘the neglected organ’ among radiologists and clinicians,
although it is well visualized on abdominal radiologic imaging.
Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) are the most frequently used modalities in the detection of splenic lesions.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally used as a supporting modality.
In this pictoral essay,
we aimed to...
Findings and procedure details
We classified lesions affecting the spleen in six major categories: (a) Normal variants,
(b) congenital diseases,
(c) trauma,
(d) infectious/ inflammatory diseases,
(e) vascular and hematologic disorders,
(f) benign and malignant tumors,
and (g) other diseases.
All cases confirmed by surgical resection,
or radiological follow-up study.
This article presents a description and representative radiological images for many of these disorders.
NORMAL VARIANTS
Splenic clefts,
notches and lobulations
The fetal spleen is lobulated and they normally disappear before birth.
Lobulation of the spleen may persist after...
Conclusion
Focal and diffuse lesions affecting the spleen are rare and are often detected incidentally during radiological examinations.
The knowledge of imaging findings and differential diagnosis of splenic lesions help radiologists in daily routine.
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