Intrathoracic splenosis: a case report and an update of invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques

Intrathoracic splenosis is a rare condition resulting from autotransplantation of splenic tissue into the left side of the chest, usually after diaphragmatic and splenic rupture after blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma. Patients are often free of symptoms, and nodules are usually discovered at computed tomographic scan. Owing to the rarity of the condition (30 cases in the literature so far), most patients undergo thoracotomy before final diagnosis. We present a case of thoracic splenosis that recently came to our attention.