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. 2004 Dec;183(6):1653-7.
doi: 10.2214/ajr.183.6.01831653.

CT features of the accessory spleen

Koenraad J Mortelé  1 , Bart Mortelé, Stuart G Silverman
Affiliations

CT features of the accessory spleen

Koenraad J Mortelé et al. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004 Dec.

Erratum in

  • AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005 Jan;184(1):348

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and CT features of the accessory spleen.

Conclusion: Accessory spleens are present in 16% of patients undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal CT. Typically, accessory spleens appear on CT scans as well-marginated, round masses that are smaller than 2 cm and enhance homogeneously on contrast-enhanced images. When accessory spleens are smaller than 1 cm, their attenuation may be lower than that of the spleen because of partial volume effects. Their most frequent location (22%) is posteromedial to the spleen; anterolateral to the upper pole of the left kidney; and lateral, posterior, and superior to the tail of the pancreas. Familiarity with these characteristic features may differentiate them from other pathologic findings in the upper abdomen.

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