Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

99mTc-Sn-colloid SPECT/CT in thoracic splenosis after esophageal cancer surgery

Document Type : Case report

Authors
Kishin Tokuyama 1
Yusuke Inoue 1
Keiji Matsunaga 2
Saori Sekimoto 1
Yasunori Hamaguchi 1
1 Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
2 Department of Radiology, Fuchinobe General Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
10.22038/aojnmb.2023.73907.1515
Abstract
Splenosis occurs as a result of autotransplantation of splenic tissue following splenic injury or splenectomy. A 56-year-old man with esophageal cancer underwent thoracoscopic-assisted subtotal esophagectomy accompanied by three-field lymph node dissection, and retrosternal gastric tube reconstruction. The spleen was injured during the surgery and was removed. A retrosternal nodule of 12 mm in diameter was detected near the reconstructed gastric tube on computed tomography (CT) performed 3 years and 6 months postoperatively.
Retrospectively, the nodule was observed in the same area on early postoperative CT and gradually increased in size. No accessory spleen was identified on the preoperative CT. Splenosis was suspected, and 99mTc-Sn-colloid single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT was performed. It revealed intense uptake in the retrosternal nodule, consistent with the diagnosis of thoracic splenosis. Subsequently, the patient has been under observation without treatment. 99mTc-labeled colloid SPECT/CT allowed confident diagnosis of thoracic splenosis following esophageal cancer surgery. This examination is considered valuable for the evaluation of ectopic splenic tissue.
Keywords
99mTc-labeled colloid
SPECT/CT
Thoracic splenosis
Esophageal cancer
Gastric tube reconstruction
Subjects
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Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology
Volume 12, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 61-64