[Ultrasound and CT evaluation of non-lymphomatous splenic focal lesions].

Differential diagnosis problems are caused by the increased, at time occasional, detection of benign and malignant spleen focal lesions in routine superior abdomen ultrasound (US). The following pathologic conditions were reported in 29 patients with focal lesions (excepted systemic diseases): 6 plain cysts, 1 cystic lymphangioma, 3 echinococcus cysts, 3 abscesses, 7 hematomas and 9 metastases. US examination and clinical data together have permitted the differentiation of cysts from solid nodules but has limits in the characterisation of lesions and in the diagnosis of abscesses. Metastases did non present specific US or CT aspects and have been correctly characterized only with aid of anamnestical data and for the coexistence of hepatic lesions. CT has proven superior specificity, compared to US, only in the diagnosis of abscesses and should thus be utilized only in selected cases.