LAPAROSCOPIC SPLENECTOMY FOR AN INFLAMMATORY PSEUDOTUMOR OF THE SPLEEN - OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE AND CASE-REPORT

The case of a primary inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen in a 44 y ear-old female is herein reported. This lesion is extremely rare, with only 33 cases previously reported. The splenic tumor was preoperative ly diagnosed as a hemangioma by the combined modalities of ultrasonogr aphy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. A laparoscop ic splenectomy was, thus, performed in order to make a final diagnosis . Pathological examination of the mass revealed an inflammatory proces s. Based on the above findings, a laparoscopic splenectomy is recommen ded when the tumor is suspected to be benign.