Noninvasive methods of diagnosing thoracic splenosis

Thoracic splenosis is a rare condition resulting from concomitant rupture o f the spleen and left hemidiaphragm, with autotransplantation of splenic ti ssue into the left hemithorax. It is usually an incidental finding on chest plain film or computed tomogram and is rarely diagnosed without biopsy or operation. A history of old splenic trauma and findings of left-sided, pleu ral-based nodules should indicate the diagnosis, which can be confirmed wit h nuclear medicine studies. (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.