Splenic cysts: Analysis of 16 cases

BACKGROUND Splenic cysts are known as rare clinical encounter. Classifying into primary (true) and secondary cysts (pseudocysts), true cysts contain cellular epithelial lining and subdivided into parasitic and non-parasitic cysts. This study aimed to determine the outcome of treatment in patients with splenic cyst. METHODS All patients with splenic cyst who had been treated in Department of General Surgery of Ghaem and Omid teaching hospitals over a 24-year period were identified. The medical records of these 16 patients were reviewed. RESULTS The study patients included 11 females (68.75%) and 5 males (31.25%) with average age of 39.8 years. Fifteen cases had true cyst including 11 parasitic cysts (hydatid) and only one pseudocyst. 37.5% of the splenic cysts had coexistent cysts in liver, pelvis, omentum and paracolic regions. Nine patients underwent total splenectomy and 5 cases partial splenectomy and 2 remaining cases received conservative medical treatment. The size of the cysts varied from 6 to 25 centimeter with average size of 14.3 centimeter. All patients with hydatid cysts received albendazole postoperative medical treatment with albendazole for 6 months. All patients recovered after treatment. CONCLUSION Open splenectomy whether total or partial is effective and safe in patients with splenec cysts with or without hydatidosis. The outcome of treatment is good without recurrences.