Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is a rare condition resulting from the failure of embryological splenic buds to fuse. Found in approximately 1.1% to 3.4% of the population, IPAS can present significant diagnostic challenges, often mimicking pancreatic tumours such as pancreatic neuroendocrin...

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Main Authors: Kaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso Filardi, José Donizeti de Meira Júnior, Thiago Nogueira Costa, André Montagnini, Ismael Dominguez-Rosado, Carlos Chan, José Jukemura, Paulo Herman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Minimal Access Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmas.jmas_245_24
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author Kaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso Filardi
José Donizeti de Meira Júnior
Thiago Nogueira Costa
André Montagnini
Ismael Dominguez-Rosado
Carlos Chan
José Jukemura
Paulo Herman
author_facet Kaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso Filardi
José Donizeti de Meira Júnior
Thiago Nogueira Costa
André Montagnini
Ismael Dominguez-Rosado
Carlos Chan
José Jukemura
Paulo Herman
author_sort Kaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso Filardi
collection DOAJ
description Intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is a rare condition resulting from the failure of embryological splenic buds to fuse. Found in approximately 1.1% to 3.4% of the population, IPAS can present significant diagnostic challenges, often mimicking pancreatic tumours such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. We report two cases of IPAS, each illustrating different diagnostic approaches and outcomes. These cases highlight the importance of considering IPAS in differential diagnoses for hypervascular pancreatic tail lesions. Advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, computerised tomography, technetium-99m scintigraphy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration are critical in distinguishing IPAS from malignant conditions, potentially preventing unwarranted surgical interventions. Comprehensive diagnostic protocols combining multiple modalities are recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy and optimise patient outcomes.
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id doaj-art-57295e8a6a3c44c0a3f5b43a4ffd3a84
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issn 0972-9941
1998-3921
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Journal of Minimal Access Surgery
spelling doaj-art-57295e8a6a3c44c0a3f5b43a4ffd3a842025-08-20T03:03:01ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Minimal Access Surgery0972-99411998-39212025-07-0121332132510.4103/jmas.jmas_245_24Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosisKaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso FilardiJosé Donizeti de Meira JúniorThiago Nogueira CostaAndré MontagniniIsmael Dominguez-RosadoCarlos ChanJosé JukemuraPaulo HermanIntrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) is a rare condition resulting from the failure of embryological splenic buds to fuse. Found in approximately 1.1% to 3.4% of the population, IPAS can present significant diagnostic challenges, often mimicking pancreatic tumours such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. We report two cases of IPAS, each illustrating different diagnostic approaches and outcomes. These cases highlight the importance of considering IPAS in differential diagnoses for hypervascular pancreatic tail lesions. Advanced imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, computerised tomography, technetium-99m scintigraphy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration are critical in distinguishing IPAS from malignant conditions, potentially preventing unwarranted surgical interventions. Comprehensive diagnostic protocols combining multiple modalities are recommended to enhance diagnostic accuracy and optimise patient outcomes.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmas.jmas_245_24accessory spleendistal pancreatectomypancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
spellingShingle Kaique Flavio Xavier Cardoso Filardi
José Donizeti de Meira Júnior
Thiago Nogueira Costa
André Montagnini
Ismael Dominguez-Rosado
Carlos Chan
José Jukemura
Paulo Herman
Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
Journal of Minimal Access Surgery
accessory spleen
distal pancreatectomy
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
title Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
title_full Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
title_fullStr Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
title_full_unstemmed Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
title_short Intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour - An important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
title_sort intrapancreatic accessory spleen mimicking a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour an important but almost forgotten differential diagnosis
topic accessory spleen
distal pancreatectomy
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmas.jmas_245_24
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