Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the spleen.

Diffuse hemangioma of the spleen occurred in a 59-year-old man. The presenting features were a dull ache and heaviness in the left upper quadrant for 3 weeks, severe left-sided pain and fever immediately before hospitalization, and a tender mass in the left upper quadrant. The condition was diagnosed at laparotomy; splenectomy was performed. In this case intrahemangiomatous hemorrhage had occurred, but not rupture of the spleen, which is a potentially lethal complication. Other complications of diffuse splenic hemangioma are thrombosis, infarction, infection with abscess formation, and partial calcification of the vascular spaces. The condition is rare; only 56 cases have been reported.