Postsplenectomy gastric deformity

Abstract

Mass- or polyplike defects of the gastric fundus were found on upper gastrointestinal examination in five patients, representing 7% of those who had undergone splenectomy. In four cases, the splenectomies were performed 1--5 months earlier, and, in one, the splenectomy was performed 10 years before. Dense adhesions were the cause of the defects in two patients. Plication deformity was thought to be a possible cause in the others. Recognition of the nonneoplastic nature of such defects is important in preventing unnecessary surgery. Computed tomography and endoscopy may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.