The role of splenic scintigraphy in the diagnosis of thoracic nodules.

Abstract

Thoracic splenosis is the presence of acquired ectopic splenic tissue within the thoracic cavity, typically following thoracoabdominal trauma or surgery. It is mostly asymptomatic and detected incidentally on radiography or tomography. A 64-year-old man was admitted with exertional dyspnea without any other respiratory complaints. The patient had a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and had undergone bilateral lung surgery and splenectomy due to a traffic accident 30 years ago. Thoracic computed tomograph (CT) revealed an 11x7mm nodular lesion in the posterobasal lower lobe of the left lung, multiple millimetric nodular lesions in the pleura corresponding to the left lung operation site, a focal defect in the right diaphragm, and liver herniation in this area. The diagnosis of "thoracic splenosis" was made by splenic scintigraphy.