A CASE OF SPLENOSIS MASQUERADING AS ENDOMETRIOSIS

Splenosis represents the autotransplantation of splenic tissue after s plenic trauma or surgery. Characterized by bluish implants diffusely s cattered throughout the peritoneal cavity, splenosis is frequently mis taken for endometriosis. A 19-year-old woman was referred for ''extens ive endometriosis'' found at diagnostic laparoscopy by her gynecologis t. After extensive resection of peritoneal, pelvic, and intestinal imp lants of typical and ''atypical'' endometriosis, the ''atypical'' endo metriosis was reported by the pathologist to be splenosis. Because spl enosis is not a pathologic process but may actually be beneficial to t he patient, it is important to recognize splenosis and not confuse it with endometriosis, malignancy, or hemangioma.