Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic tumorIntrapankreatische Nebenmilz

BACKGROUND: Accessory intrapancreatic spleens occur in about 1.7% of the population, but they are rarely diagnosed accurately. Most patients with small round lesions in the pancreatic tail are operated because a tumor is suspected. METHODS: We report a 68-year-old woman with a well-circumscribed lesion in the pancreatic tail measuring 1.4 cm in largest diameter, which was diagnosed by CT and MR imaging. Pancreatic resection with splenectomy was performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic resection of the specimen showed intrapancreatic accessory splenic tissue. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 15 without complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with small lesions in the pancreatic tail with regular margins and low density in CT scan should be examined with specific non-invasive methods. If accessory intrapancratic spleen is diagnosed radiologically, patients should be prevented from operation and followed up.