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. 2009:2009:bcr06.2009.2033.
doi: 10.1136/bcr.06.2009.2033. Epub 2009 Sep 28.

A case of ventral hernia mesh migration with splenosis mimicking a gastric mass

Gavin A Falk  1 , John Ryan Means, Auora Dawn Pryor
Affiliations

A case of ventral hernia mesh migration with splenosis mimicking a gastric mass

Gavin A Falk et al. BMJ Case Rep. 2009.

Abstract

This case reports the presentation and investigation of a 64-year-old woman presenting with symptoms of bowel obstruction and found to have synchronous intraluminal migration of a polypropylene mesh from a ventral hernia repair and splenosis compressing the stomach wall. The use of synthetic mesh in any type of hernia repair has a number of risks, one of which is transmigration. This is a very rare complication but has been reported in a number of cases following both open and transabdominal pre-peritoneal repairs of inguinal hernias. Heterotopic splenic tissue or "splenosis" can be a cause of a soft tissue mass, which can mimic a neoplasm leading to misdiagnosis. These implants result from either splenic trauma or after splenic surgery.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Small bowel follow through showing filling defect.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Resected jejunum with the mesh on opening the specimen.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Resected jejunum with the mesh unfolded.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Computed tomography scan showing sub-serosal mass behind the stomach.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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