Thoracic splenosis

BACKGROUND--Thoracic splenosis is an uncommon side effect of thoracoabdominal trauma involving injury to the diaphragm and spleen. Only 20 patients with a similar problem have been reported previously. METHODS--Two patients with thoracic splenosis were studied. RESULTS--One of the patients had undergone thoracotomy for resection of a "pulmonary nodule". The other remains under observation. CONCLUSION--Presence of a pulmonary nodule in a patient with history of injury to the diaphragm and spleen should arouse suspicion of splenosis. Appropriate investigation may prevent an unnecessary and potentially harmful operation.