Splenosis: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding successfully treated with transarterial embolization

Abstract

Splenosis, the ectopic implantation of splenic tissue, most commonly occurs in the peritoneal cavity following traumatic splenic injury with subsequent splenectomy. This entity is asymptomatic in a vast majority of patients. Occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a relatively rare presentation of splenosis. Previous cases of splenosis resulting in refractory GI bleeding have been treated with surgical excision of the ectopic splenic implant. We report a case of splenosis presenting as occult GI bleeding that was eventually treated with transarterial embolization. This presents an alternative minimally invasive approach to treating a patient with refractory GI bleeding secondary to splenosis.