SPLENIC HAMARTOMA - A CASE-REPORT

Splenic hamartomas are rare benign tumours composed of an abnormal mix ture of normal components of the spleen. Generally asymptomatic, they are in most instances discovered as incidental findings at laparotomy or autopsy. We report a case in which sonography disclosed a heterogen eous splenic mass, partially cystic, with some echogenic foci thought to represent calcification. CT was unremarkable, detecting a spontaneo usly isodense mass with a small peripheral calcification. Scintigraphy performed with sulphur colloids demonstrated an area of increase upta ke. MRI disclosed a slightly hypointense mass on T1-weighted spin-echo images which was predominantly hypointense with a more isointense cen tral area on long TRITE images. On gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted ima ges the mass displayed a heterogeneous hyperintensity with prolonged e nhancement. Biopsy was inconclusive and the final diagnosis was achiev ed only with splenectomy.