Radiology of the spleen

The spleen is generally not considered a challenge to the radiologist. Most often it poses a problem by anomalies or an irregular but normal contrast enhancement; however, a variety of inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic diseases may involve the spleen. CT and ultrasonography are screening modal ities for the spleen. For problem solving, MR imaging can be helpful, espec ially due to its free choice of the imaging plane and because of the high r esolution in contrast MR imaging. Splenic angiography as a diagnostic tool has generally been replaced by CT, ultrasound, or MR and is now used as an interventional method, e. g., in non-surgical management of patients with c hronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia or in patients with splenic trauma. This article reviews the radiology of the spleen, including anatomy, embryology , splenomegaly, splenic injury, infarction, cysts, tumors,. abscesses, sarc oidosis, and AIDS. Knowledge about the use of different imaging modalities and underlying gross and microscopic pathologic features reads to a better understanding of the radiologic findings.