Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1271670
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
Laparoscopy in the Diagnosis and Management of Splenogonadal Fusion: Case Report
Publication History
Publication Date:
14 March 2011 (online)

Introduction
Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly involving abnormal fusion between the spleen and the gonad. The fusion can be continuous or discontinuous, depending on the presence or absence of a structural connection between the regular spleen and ectopic splenic tissue attached to the gonad. Clinical presentation is usually as a testicular mass, and diagnosis is in most cases accidental; sometimes other congenital abnormalities are present [1] [2] [3]. We report the case of a child with a continuous type splenogonadal fusion which manifested itself as a testicular mass. The diagnosis and surgical treatment were suggested by diagnostic laparoscopy.
References
- 1 Bostroem E. Demonstration eines Präparates von Verwachsung der Milz mit dem linken Hoden. Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte. Verhandlungen der 56. Versammlung. Freiburg. 1883; 149
- 2 Chen SL, Kao YL, Sun HS. et al . Splenogonadal fusion. J Formos Med Assoc. 2008; 107 892-895
- 3 Carragher AM. One hundred years of splenogonadal fusion. Urology. 1990; 35 471-475
- 4 Putschar WGJ, Manion WC. Splenic-gonadal fusion. Amer J Pathol. 1956; 32 15-33
- 5 Le Roux PJ, Heddle RM. Splenogonadal fusion: is the accepted classification system accurate?. BJU Int. 2000; 85 114-115
- 6 Khairat AB, Ismail AM. Splenogonadal fusion: case presentation and literature review. J Pediatr Surg. 2005; 40 1357-1360
- 7 Braga LH, Braga MM, Dias MA. Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of splenogonadal fusion associated with intra-abdominal cryptorchidism in a child. Pediatr Surg Int. 1999; 15 465-466
- 8 Tokar B. Do we need laparoscopic abdominal exploration for a testicular nubbin palpated in the inguinal region? A case with type IV polyorchidism. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2010; 20 203-204
- 9 Besner GE, Qualman SJ, Gosche JR. Identification of a duplicated undescended testicle (polyorchia): an unexpected benefit of laparoscopic localization. J Laparoendosc Surg. 1996; 6 (Suppl 1) S107-S114
- 10 Braga LH, Braga MM, Dias MA. Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of splenogonadal fusion associated with intra-abdominal cryptorchidism in a child. Pediatr Surg Int. 1999; 15 465-466
- 11 Imperial SL, Sidhu JS. Nonseminomatous germ cell tumour arising in splenogonadal fusion. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2002; 126 1222-1225
- 12 Falkowski WS, Carter MF. Splenogonadal fusion associated with an anaplastic seminoma. J Urol. 1980; 124 562-564
- 13 Thomsen BM, Wierod FS, Rasmussen KC. Combined malignant testicular tumour and splenogonadal fusion. Scand J Urol Nephol. 1997; 31 393-395
- 14 Cortes D, Thorup JM, Visfeldt J. The pathogenesis of cryptorchidism and splenogonadal fusion: a new hypothesis. Br J Urol. 1996; 77 285-290
Correspondence
Prof. Alfonso PapparellaMD
Pediatric Surgery
Pediatrics
Via S. Pansini 5
80131 Napoli
Italy
Phone: + 39 081 566 6690
Fax: + 39 081 566 6683
Email: alfonso.papparella@unina2.it