9%20ECOGRAFIA%20ABDOMINAL%20COMO%20CUANDO%20DONDE

144
ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND
Cysts
Splenic cysts have a relatively low incidence, but
are nevertheless the most common benign mass
found in the spleen. They demonstrate the usual
acoustic characteristics of well-defined capsule, no
internal echoes and posterior enhancement (Fig.
6.5). Splenic cysts may occasionally be associated
with adult polycystic disease.
Other causes of cystic lesions in the spleen
include post-traumatic cysts (liquefied haematoma),
hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus
parasite) or cystic metastases (for example from
primary ovarian carcinoma, which may contain
mucin).
As with hepatic cysts, haemorrhage may occur,
causing LUQ pain (Fig. 6.5B). Large cysts may be
resected, in order to avoid rupture.
A
B
C
D
Figure 6.5 (A) Small, simple splenic cyst. (B) Haemorrhage into a splenic cyst causes low-level echoes. (C) Large
splenic abscess in an immunosuppressed patient following hepatic transplantation. (D) This abscess, involving the
entire spleen, followed a severe episode of empyema. The patient presented, following cholecystectomy, with a spiking
temperature.