A rare case of primary mucinous cystadenoma of spleen: A case report.

INTRODUCTION

Primary mucinous cystadenoma is a very rare lesion in the spleen, with only a few reported cases available in the literature. Ectopic pancreatic or enteric tissue and invaginated splenic capsular epithelium are assumed to be the origin of mucinous cystadenomas of the spleen. We present the first reported case in Ethiopia.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 42-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain and swelling of one year duration, with physical examination finding of a left upper quadrant tender mass with nodular surface. An ultrasound scan revealed multiple cystic lesions in the spleen. Splenectomy was done and subsequent histopathologic examination demonstrated multiple cystic spaces lined by bland cuboidal to flat nonciliated epithelium and filled with mucin which is diagnostic of mucinous cystadenoma.

DISCUSSION

Epithelial cysts are generally rare in the spleen. Even though there are some reported cases, primary mucinous cystadenoma in the spleen is even rarer. We discussed clinicopathologic features of mucinous cystadenoma from previously published case reports.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of its rare nature, mucinous cystadenoma should be entertained as a possibility in patients with an imaging finding of cystic lesion in the spleen.