Icing Sugar Spleen/Perisplenitis Cartilaginea: A Case Report

Abstract

Spleen, being the largest organ of the mononuclear phagocytic system is involved in many systemic inflammations, generalized haematopoietic disorders as well as metabolic disorders. Perisplinitis, also known colloquially as “icing sugar spleen”, is a common autopsy finding. The capsule of the spleen becomes nodular, thickened and fibrotic and it appears as though the spleen has been dipped in white icing. Perisplenitis is seen as creamy yellow to white exudates or firm glistening “icing-like” plaques on the capsular surface, indicating active acute or regressed infection, respectively. It is usually secondary to generalised peritonitis or extension from local infection. It has been reported as part of Curtis-Fitz-Hugh syndrome or a common accompaniment to cirrhosis of the liver. Massive splenomegaly with sugar icing spleen is also seen in chronic myeloid leukemia and may be seen in sickle cell anaemia. Here we present a case of perisplinitis in a 65 years old male patient as an incidental autopsy finding.