Spontaneous rupture of accessory spleen 16 years after splenectomy: a case report

In most patients, the accessory spleen (AS) is small in size. However, in patients who have undergone splenectomy, AS may hypertrophy. This manuscript presents a rare case of spontaneous AS rupture nearly two decades after a prior splenectomy due to trauma. After searching multiple databases, only a few similar cases have been reported to date. In any acute abdominal patient with a history of previous splenectomy who presents with a mass in the anatomical location of the spleen, along with evidence of hematoma and free abdominal fluid on imaging, the possibility of AS rupture should be considered.

In February 2022, a 36-year-old man who had undergone splenectomy due to trauma 16 years ago was referred to the emergency department at Imam Ali Hospital in Bojnord. He complained of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, preferably in the upper region of the abdomen. The patient denied having any recent issues. Based on the patient's history and examination, at perforated stomach ulcer and pancreatitis were initially suspected. However, except for leukocytosis, no other abnormalities were observed in the laboratory tests. Ultrasound revealed a low-echo mass-like lesion in the anatomical location of the spleen. Another low-echo mass-like lesion, indicating a hematoma with abundant free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis, was also observed near the aforementioned mass. CT scan confirmed these findings. Open surgical and re splenectomy procedures were performed, and the diagnosis of spontaneous AS rupture was made based on clinical examination and imaging findings.

In any patient with a history of previous splenectomy who presents to the emergency room with diffuse and acute abdominal pain, even without recent trauma, if a mass-like lesion is observed in the anatomically suspicious location of the spleen in the left subphrenic space, along with other evidence of rupture such as hematoma/laceration and free fluid in the abdominal cavity, accessory spleen rupture should be considered as the main differential diagnosis.