Splenic cyst

Changed by Frank Gaillard, 14 Sep 2014

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Show markup changes

Splenic cysts ~~are not~~, although not particularly common ~~and~~, are the most common focal lesion of the spleen. They may be congenital or secondary.

Congenital splenic cysts are lined by epithelium ~~( true~~(true cyst) and are usually solitary. Their margin may be echogenic and they are surrounded by normal splenic tissue.³Congenital cysts of the spleen includes :

splenic epidermoid cyst

~~lymphangioma~~ - ~~cystic lymphangioma of spleen~~

~~haemangioma~~ - ~~cystic haemangioma of spleen~~

Secondary splenic cysts may be due to :

hydatid cyst
post traumatic
infarction - splenic infarction
pyogenic splenic abscesses
pancreatic pseudocyst adjacent to spleen. Pancreatic pseudocysts extend beneath pancreatic tail to gain entry to the spleen via the splenic hilum and capsule.

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

Usually shows an anechoic to hypoechoic well defined intrasplenic lesion. Internal echoes may be present depending on aetiology.

CT

Typically shows a hypo attenuating relatively well defined intrasplenic lesion. Wall calcification may be present.

See alsoDifferential diagnosis

A number of splenic lesions may appear cystic, depending on the modality (for a complete list see cystic lesions of the spleen article). They include:
- congenital (tend to be unilocular in a majority of cases)
  - splenic epidermoid cyst
- post traumatic 'false' cyst
- infection
  - splenic hydatid cyst
  - splenic bacterial abscess
- cystic splenic metastases
- intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocyst

-<p><strong>Splenic cysts</strong> are not particularly common and may be congenital or secondary.</p><p><strong>Congenital splenic cysts</strong> are lined by epithelium ( true cyst ) and are usually solitary. Their margin may be echogenic and they are surrounded by normal splenic tissue.<sup>3 </sup>Congenital cysts of the spleen includes :</p><ul style="padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 14px 40px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">
~~-<li><a href="/articles/splenic-epidermoid-cyst" title="splenic epidermoid cyst">splenic epidermoid cyst</a></li>~~
+<p><strong>Splenic cysts</strong>, although not particularly common, are the most common focal lesion of the spleen. They may be congenital or secondary.</p><p><strong>Congenital splenic cysts</strong> are lined by epithelium (true cyst) and are usually solitary. Their margin may be echogenic and they are surrounded by normal splenic tissue.<sup>3 </sup>Congenital cysts of the spleen includes :</p><ul><li><a href="/articles/splenic-epidermoid-cyst">splenic epidermoid cyst</a></li></ul><p><strong>Secondary splenic cysts</strong> may be due to :</p><ul>
+<li><a href="/articles/hydatid-disease">hydatid cyst</a></li>
+<li><a href="/articles/post-traumatic">post traumatic</a></li>
+<li>infarction - <a href="/articles/splenic-infarction">splenic infarction</a>
+</li>
+<li>pyogenic <a href="/articles/splenic-abscesses">splenic abscesses</a>
+</li>
~~-<a href="/articles/lymphangioma" title="Lymphangioma">lymphangioma</a> - <a href="/articles/cystic-lymphangioma-of-spleen" title="cystic lymphangioma of spleen">cystic lymphangioma of spleen</a>~~
~~-</li>~~
+<a href="/articles/pancreatic-pseudocyst">pancreatic pseudocyst </a>adjacent to spleen. Pancreatic pseudocysts extend beneath pancreatic tail to gain entry to the spleen via the splenic hilum and capsule.</li>
+</ul><p> </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Usually shows an anechoic to hypoechoic well defined intrasplenic lesion. Internal echoes may be present depending on aetiology.</p><h5>CT </h5><p>Typically shows a hypo attenuating relatively well defined intrasplenic lesion. Wall calcification may be present.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>A number of splenic lesions may appear cystic, depending on the modality (for a complete list see <a style="line-height: 1.6em;" href="/articles/cystic-lesions-of-the-spleen-1">cystic lesions of the spleen</a> article). They include:</p><ul>
+<li>congenital (tend to be unilocular in a majority of cases)<ul>
+<li><a href="/articles/epidermoid-cyst-of-the-spleen">splenic epidermoid cyst</a></li>
~~-<a href="/articles/haemangioma" title="Haemangioma">haemangioma</a> - <a href="/articles/cystic-haemangioma-of-spleen" title="cystic haemangioma of spleen">cystic haemangioma of spleen</a>~~
~~-</li>~~
~~-</ul><p><strong>Secondary splenic cysts</strong> may be due to :</p><ul>~~
~~-<li><a href="/articles/hydatid-disease" title="Hydatid disease">hydatid cyst</a></li>~~
~~-<li><a href="/articles/post-traumatic">post traumatic</a></li>~~
~~-<li>infarction - <a href="/articles/splenic-infarction" title="Splenic infarction">splenic infarction</a>~~
~~-</li>~~
~~-<li>pyogenic <a title="splenic abscesses" href="/articles/splenic-abscesses">splenic abscesses</a>~~
~~-</li>~~
~~-<li>~~
-<a href="/articles/pancreatic-pseudocyst" style="line-height: 1.5;">pancreatic pseudocyst </a>adjacent to spleen. Pancreatic pseudocysts extend beneath pancreatic tail to gain entry to the spleen via the splenic hilum and capsule.</li>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>Usually shows an anechoic to hypoechoic well defined intrasplenic lesion. Internal echoes may be present depending on aetiology</p><h5>CT </h5><p>Typically shows a hypo attenuating relatively well defined intrasplenic lesion. Wall calcification may be present</p><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/cystic-lesions-of-the-spleen-1" title="Cystic lesions of the spleen">cystic lesions of the spleen</a></li></ul>
+<a title="splenic lymphatic malformation" href="/articles/splenic-lymphatic-malformation">splenic lymphatic malformation</a> (lymphangioma)</li>
+<li>
+<a title="Splenic hemangioma" href="/articles/splenic-haemangioma">splenic venous malformation</a> (haemangioma)</li>
+</ul>
+</li>
+<li>post traumatic 'false' cyst</li>
+<li>infection<ul>
+<li>
+<a title="Splenic hydatid cyst" href="/articles/splenic-hydatid-infection">splenic </a><a href="/articles/hydatid-disease">hydatid cyst</a>
+</li>
+<li><a title="splenic bacterial abscess" href="/articles/splenic-bacterial-abscess">splenic bacterial abscess</a></li>
+</ul>
+</li>
+<li>cystic <a title="splenic metastases" href="/articles/splenic-metastases">splenic metastases</a>
+</li>
+<li>intrasplenic <a href="/articles/pancreatic-pseudocysts">pancreatic pseudocyst</a>
+</li>
+</ul>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

{"current_user":null,"inclusions":[{"imageId":2404801,"studyId":19711,"caseSlug":"splenic-epidermoid-cyst-1","caption":"Case 1: splenic epidermoid cyst","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/2404801/23bb55944074cd591631bdff335ca3_big_gallery.jpg","isStack":false,"diagnosticCertainty":"probable"},{"imageId":12298508,"studyId":37324,"caseSlug":"splenic-epidermoid-cyst-2","caption":"Case 2: on CT","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/12298508/b411cbfe44779332b8d08e6220d0da_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_unsubstantiated"},{"imageId":12298253,"studyId":37323,"caseSlug":"splenic-epidermoid-cyst-2","caption":"Case 2: on ultrasound","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/12298253/dcdc516cc141440526d628c9232ccb_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_unsubstantiated"},{"imageId":53123824,"studyId":93373,"caseSlug":"calcified-splenic-cyst-2","caption":"Case 3: calcified splenic cyst","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/53123824/5d83201b221e700469c0bba1267444_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":false,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_substantiated"},{"imageId":59473448,"studyId":125834,"caseSlug":"calcified-splenic-epidermoid-cyst","caption":"Case 4: calcified splenic epidermoid cyst","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/59473448/e16aa47bdc0ae215d4ac6054c11eebe3f9360c677e5df19312db4daba7f7bce3_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_unsubstantiated"},{"imageId":62200782,"studyId":136218,"caseSlug":"giant-splenic-pseudocyst","caption":"Case 5: giant splenic pseudocyst","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/62200782/dc04410cca93a23aeff2c19a517f90b26522cc98fa6104649d42475bbdf5b5b5_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_substantiated"},{"imageId":64042805,"studyId":143942,"caseSlug":"splenic-pseudocyst-1","caption":"Case 6: splenic pseudocyst","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/64042805/32a9fb9b528b4e6459966d43fd484ed7b8bbf6b1bcb3daf75aa66997ae6d9ff8_big_gallery.jpeg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_unsubstantiated"}],"ddx_inclusions":[{"imageId":1494307,"studyId":15524,"caseSlug":"hydatid-cyst-of-the-spleen-1","caption":"Hydatid cyst of the spleen","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/1494307/18a9e64532a328519cb9fb754f6435_big_gallery.jpg","isStack":false,"diagnosticCertainty":"probable"},{"imageId":4171271,"studyId":23914,"caseSlug":"postpartum-splenic-abscess","caption":"Splenic abscess","thumbnail":"https://prod-images-static.radiopaedia.org/images/4171271/51904715bc7b723f8f0996fb0d6a82_big_gallery.jpg","isStack":true,"diagnosticCertainty":"confirmed_substantiated"}],"lang":"us"}