Splenic hamartoma

Abstract

This paper describes five cases of splenic hamartoma, a benign lesion, usually found incidentally in the spleen at autopsy. The current practice of laparotomy for staging of malignant lymphomas, especially Hodgkin's disease, has increased the numbers of surgically removed spleens. Because splenic hamartomas may be confused histologically with Hodgkin's disease involving the spleen, the authors have reviewed this entity, stressing the importance of recognizing and distinguishing it from a malignant process.