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Arch Surg. 2008;143(2):206.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Answer: Ectopic Spleen in the Pancreatic Tail

Accessory or ectopic spleen is present in at least 10% of the population and is most commonly (in 16% of cases) located near or in the tail of the pancreas.¹ The size may range from a few millimeters to several centimeters and may enlarge after splenectomy.² In splenosis after trauma, the implantation of splenic tissue may occur anywhere in the abdomen, pelvis, or chest.³ Most patients are asymptomatic, and the pancreatic tumor is usually discovered incidentally during an imaging workup for other reasons.⁴

The identification of an accessory spleen is important because it may mimic lymphadenopathy or a tumor in the pancreas, adrenal gland, or kidney.^{2, 5} In addition, it can occasionally cause symptoms due to torsion, hemorrhage, spontaneous rupture, or cyst formation.^{3, 6} Furthermore, for a surgeon intending to remove all of the functional splenic tissue, the presence of accessory or ectopic splenic tissue should be confirmed before the surgery to . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Arch Surg. 2008;143(2):205.
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