Calcified Pseudocyst of the Spleen

Splenic cysts are bizarre entities which are of interest not only for their rarity but also for the mystery which surrounds their pathogenesis. In 800 splenectomies done at the Mayo Clinic, Pemberton^1a found but 4 cases of splenic cyst (0.5%). Since the first report of cystic disease of the spleen by Andral² in 1829, less than 200 splenic cysts have been mentioned in the literature, of which about 40 have been calcified. The occurrence of a large solitary calcified cyst of the spleen is considered worthy of mention and represents the basis of this report.

Classification  Fowler³ classified splenic cysts as dermoid, parasitic, and nonparasitic varieties. Dermoid cysts of the spleen resemble dermoids elsewhere and are extremely rare; parasitic cysts arise from involvement of the spleen by Echinococcus disease. Other cysts fall into the nonparasitic varieties and are divided into true cysts and pseudocysts, depending upon the