Simultaneous peritoneal and retroperitoneal splenosis mimics metastatic right adrenal mass

Highlights

• •Incidentally discovered adrenal mass (adrenal incidentalomas “AIs”) has a widespread diversity of differential diagnosis.
• •Adrenal masses >6 cm in diameter and malignancy should be considered malignant.
• •Large right AI could be a splenosis following post-traumatic splenectomy.

Abstract

Introduction

Right retroperitoneal splenosis is rare with few reported cases. We report, here, the case of simultaneous peritoneal and retroperitoneal splenosis mimics metastatic right adrenal mass.

Presentation of case

A 28-year-old man who had previously undergone post traumatic splenectomy at childhood and subsequently presented with an large incidental non-functioning right adrenal mass with presence of extra-hepatic peritoneal focal lesion diagnosed as metastasis by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Adrenalectomy with metatstectomy was performed, and both masses were identified to be splenosis.

Discussion

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) is defined as asymptomatic masses >1 cm. on cross-sectional imaging studies. AIs have significant malignant potential for masses > 6 cm. Splenosis are found most frequently in the left retroperitoneum in cases involving retroperitoneal splenosis. However, right retroperitoneal splenosis have been reported. Traditional imaging techniques cannot differentiate splenosis from malignancy.

Conclusion

Large right adrenal incidentalomas present with other abdominal, peritoneal masses could be splenosis in patient following post-traumatic splenectomy.

1. Introduction

Incidental discovered adrenal mass (adrenal incidentalomas “AIs”) has a widespread diversity of differential diagnosis [1,2]. Beside these, some rare causes still involved. One of rare causes of AIs is splenosis, defined as heterotopic autotransplantation and implantation of viable splenic tissue after either splenic trauma or surgery most commonly located within the peritoneal cavity [3].

In spite of the fact that splenosis is a benign mass can be diagnosed through Tc-99 m labeled heat-damaged autologous red blood cell single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging, avoiding surgical intervention [4]. A review of >1300 patients with Adrenal incidentalomas revealed that incidence of malignant potential significantly increased for masses >6 cm in diameter and should be considered malignant until proven otherwise, almost always requiring definitive resection [5]. In all previous reported cases of adrenal splenosis the mass size ranged from 3.4 to 6 cm [2,3,[6], [7], [8]] which can have lower possibility of being malignant.

2. Presentation of case

A 28-year-old male was referred to our outpatient clinic complaining of non-specific abdominal pain. He underwent splenectomy for ruptured spleen since 2000. All laboratory parameters were normal including the hormonal work up for the adrenal hyperfunction.

MRI of the abdomen revealed a 7.8 × 9.4 cm right supra-renal (non-adenomatous) mass with intermediate SI at T₂ WI and no drop in SI at out phase chemical shift in close relation to liver and upper pole of the kidney. In addition, there was extra hepatic peritoneal focal lesion related to lateral aspect of segment VI of the liver measured 2.5 × 2 × 1 cm (mostly metastatic) (Fig. 1). Chest CT scan was free and bone scan confirmed no evidence of bony metastatic deposits.

Fig. 1.

(A) MRI reformatting image showing right supra renal mass measuring about 9.4 × 7.8 cm. (B) Extra hepatic peritoneal focal lesion related to lateral aspect of segment VI of the liver measured 2.5 × 2 × 1 cm. (C) Reformatted image of MRI showing both lesions.

During adrenalectomy, extra hepatic peritoneal focal lesion identified at the surface of right lobe of the liver and was resected (Fig. 2). Histopathological examination showed normal splenic red and white pulp components including lymphoid follicles with germinal center formation with normal supra renal tissue and no malignancy and accessory peritoneal mass showed same findings consistent with splenosis (Fig. 3). The patient had smooth postoperative course.

Fig. 2.

(A) Intraoperative findings: (1) Right supra renal mass (2) Right renal unit (3) Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). (B) Right supra renal bed after removal of the mass.

Fig. 3.

(A) Gross picture of the mass “opened” (B&C). Pathological findings normal splenic red and white pulp components including lymphoid follicles with germinal center formation with normal supra renal tissue and no malignancy and accessory peritoneal mass showed same findings consistent with splenosis “Magnification × 1000″.

3. Discussion

Adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) is defined as asymptomatic masses >1 cm. in on cross-sectional imaging studies performed for reasons unrelated to adrenal disease. AIs have significant malignant potential for masses > 6 cm in diameter, so should be considered malignant until proven otherwise and always requiring definitive resection [8,9]. The majority of AIs are nonfunctional, benign lesions that account for 82.5% of cases including adenomas (61%), myelolipomas (10%), adrenal cysts (6%), and ganglioneuromas (5.5%), cortisol-secreting adenomas (5.3%), pheochromocytomas (5.1%), adrenocortical carcinomas (4.7%), metastatic lesions (2.5%), and aldosteronomas (1%) [12].

Auto-transplantation of splenic parenchyma at the time of trauma or after splenectomy for traumatic splenic rupture known as spleenosis may mimics AIs especially if retroperitoneal implanted which is atypical. In all previously reported cases of adrenal splenosis mimicking AIs, masses size ranged from 3 to 6 cm [3,4,6,7,10]. Splenosis are found most frequently in the left retroperitoneum in cases involving retroperitoneal splenosis. However, right retroperitoneal splenosis have been reported [3,4,6,7], Our case have the larger size 7.8 × 9.4 cm. Beside the large size, synchronous spleenosis at anterior peritoneum. The differential diagnosis of abdominal splenosis may include metastatic disease, pheochromocytoma, lymphoma, carcinomatosis, hepatic or renal malignancy, endometriosis, or simple adenopathy. Traditional imaging techniques cannot differentiate splenosis from malignancy [4].

Though Tc-99m labeled heat-damaged autologous red blood cell SPECT-CT scan had a 32% greater diagnostic yield when directly compared to sulfur colloid scan in detection of splenosis, we proceed for exploration due to abnormal finding by 3-T MRI not in favor of benign lesion and didn’t perform SPECT-CT scan as prominent activity is normally seen in liver and kidneys in splenectomized patients [11]. Also, adrenal masses > 6 cm in diameter and malignancy should be considered malignant. [5].

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for simultaneous peritoneal and retroperitoneal splenosis mimiking metastatic right adrenal mass.

4. Conclusion

Large right adrenal incidentalomas present with other abdominal, peritoneal masses could be splenosis in patient following post-traumatic splenectomy.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no confict of interests.

Funding

None.

Ethical approval

Approval of the Institutional Review Board according to publish this case report was obtained. This case report manuscript follows the surgical case report (SCARE) Guidelines (12).

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images.

Author's contribution

Abdelwahb Hashem: Manuscript writing.

Abdelbaset MA: Data collection and manuscript editing.

Mohamed H Zahran: Manuscript revision.

Yasser Osman: Manuscript revision and editing.

Registration of research studies

None.

Guarantor

Yasser Osman.

Abdelwahab Hashem.