J Korean Radiol Soc.  2002 Dec;47(6):625-629. 10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.6.625.

Radiologic Findings of Direct Splenic Invasion by Malignant Tumors of Adjacent Organs

• Lee KW
• Chung SY
• Yang I
• Kim HD
• Shin SJ
• Kim JE
• Park CM

• KMID: 2103681
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2002.47.6.625

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings of direct invasion of the spleen by malignant tumors of adjacent organs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the CT(n=6) and MR(n=3) images of six patients with direct invasion of the spleen by malignant tumor of left lower lung, stomach, colon, pancreas, left kidney, and left adrenal gland. We evaluated the tumor margin, attenuation or intensity, perisplenic fat infiltration, regional lymphnode enlargement, and invaded site of the spleen.
RESULTS
Ill-defined masses were found in the spleen with central necrosis and infiltration into perisplenic fatty tissue in all six patients; left adrenal mass was present also in three patients. Regional lymphnode enlargement was found in four patients. The masses showed heterogenous low attenuation on CT. The invaded site was variable and corresponding to their anatomical connections to the spleen.
CONCLUSION
Direct invasion of the spleen by malignant tumors of adjacent organs showed ill-defined masses with central necrosis and were commonly associated with infiltration to perisplenic fatty tissue and adrenal invasion. The pattern and invaded site can be helpful to assess the primary cancer.

Keyword

Spleen; Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance (MR)

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Adrenal Glands
Colon
Humans
Kidney
Lung
Necrosis
Pancreas
Retrospective Studies
Spleen
Stomach