Intrapancreatic accessory spleen - A rare cause of a pancreatic mass

Conclusion: The clinical significance of intrapancreatic accessory spleens resides in the mimicry of pancreatic cancer. Radionuclide tests (Octreotide scan and Tc99m sulfur colloid scan) should be undertaken to distinguish th ese lesions from neuroendocrine tumors, hypervascular metastases and pancre atic carcinoma. If the tests are equivocal, diagnostic laparotomy or laparo scopy is recommended. Background: Despite its relatively common occurrence, intrapancreatic ectop ic splenic tissue is rarely detected owing to its asymptomatic nature. Methods: We report a case of a clinically asymptomatic patient in which abd ominal computed tomography (CT) scans revealed a mass of 1.5 cm in diameter in the distal pancreas. The tumor markers CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic ant igen (CEA) were slightly elevated, and pancreatic neoplasm was suspected. Results: Left pancreatic resection and splenectomy were performed. The remo ved specimen disclosed the presence of an accessory spleen within the pancr eatic tail.