Posttraumatic cyst of the spleen: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Splenic cysts are rare lesions. They are mainly divided into primary or genuine cysts and secondary or false cysts according to their etiology and pathophysiology. Primary cysts have a cellular lining that can be caused by either congenital events or parasitic infestations (Echinococcus). Secondary cysts have no cellular lining and may be of hemorrhagic, serous, inflammatory, or degenerative origin. It is important for surgeons to assess each individual case and decide on the most suitable treatment, taking into account the features of the cyst, the time of onset, and the age of the patient, to avoid possible complications. We report a case of posttraumatic pseudocyst treated successfully by splenectomy and we review the literature.