Traumatic rupture of hypertrophic splenunculus; MDCT findings, literature review and clinical recommendations

Following blunt trauma to the abdomen, splenic injury is frequently suspected and subsequently imaged upon presentation to a hospital.A diagnostic dilemma may arise when features of splenic injury are present in a previously splenectomised patient.We present the imaging findings of such a case in which a young adult male having undergone splenectomy as a child following blunt injury to the abdomen presented years later following further trauma and who sustained rupture of a hypertrophic splenunculus. We also discuss difficulties in diagnosis and suggest recommendations which may help to raise awareness of this entity as well as facilitating a more rapid and accurate diagnosis.