Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen

Abstract

Mass-like lesions with histologic features of nonspecific inflammation and mesenchymal repair have been designated as inflammatory pseudotumors. Such lesions occasionally have been observed in a variety of tissues, such as the orbit, spinal meninges, digestive system, heart, soft tissues, mesothelial membranes, and respiratory tract. Splenic involvement is extremely rare. To our knowledge, since Cotelingam and Jaffe first reported 2 cases of splenic inflammatory pseudotumor in 1984, only 74 cases had been reported in the literature till now. We report a 44-year-old female with inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen. The tumor was found in a routine health evaluation by abdominal ultrasonography. However, further image study of abdominal CT could not rule out a malignant lesion. Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Pathological report of the mass revealed an inflammatory pseudotumor.