Some patients have a small accessory spleen, which typically is an incidental finding. Rarely finding an accessory spleen may be clinically important.
Locations for an accessory spleen:
(1) hilus of the spleen
(2) splenic pedicle
(3) gastro-splenic ligament
(4) retroperitoneum near the head of the pancreas
(5) greater omentum
(6) splenocolic ligament
(7) large bowel mesentery
(8) small bowel mesentery
(9) left ovary or adnexa (in a female)
(10) left scrotum (in a male)
Most accessory spleens are found close to the splenic hilus and pedicle.
If more than 1 accessory spleen is present:
(1) normally there are only 2
(2) one of the accessory spleens is usually located at the hilum
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Clinical Laboratory
