Incidental splenic findings in pancreatosplenectomy specimens resected for primary pancreatic lesions.

AIMS: Little has been written on the frequency and nature of incidental splenic lesions diagnosed on histopathological examination of pancreatosplenectomy specimens.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

For 191 such specimens, incidental histological findings after haematopathologist re-review were tabulated. Cases suspicious for lymphoid malignancy underwent molecular analysis for immunoglobulin heavy and kappa light chain rearrangement. Follow-up was obtained on selected cases. In five cases (3%), the spleen was sampled but not mentioned in the original microscopic report; all were normal on re-review. Otherwise, most (171 of 186, 92%) were initially diagnosed as normal, with 160 (94%) remaining so on re-review. Findings on re-review not initially described (n = 11, 6%) included four cases with splenic morphology suspicious for possible leukaemia/lymphoma involvement. Additional findings included abscess formation, foamy macrophages, necrotising granulomas and simple cysts. Fifteen spleens were initially diagnosed as abnormal; the histopathological process was confirmed in all, including non-necrotising granulomas, cysts, Gamna-Gandy bodies, foamy macrophages, involvement by pancreatic neoplasm and involvement by known chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Molecular analysis was performed on the five cases of known/suspected lymphoma and two were positive for monoclonal gene rearrangement, including the known CLL and a previously undiagnosed case with similar immunophenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidental splenic findings are not uncommon in pancreatosplenectomy specimens. While most are of limited clinical significance, low-grade lymphoproliferative disorders may go undetected if the spleen is overlooked. We recommend careful observation of splenic findings in these specimens, with a low threshold for haematopathological consultation when in doubt.