Massive splenomegaly associated with multiple splenunculi in B-Thalassemia major

Abstract

A 4-year-old male child with β-thalassemia major presented with massive splenomegaly and hepatomegaly along with increasing transfusion requirements (700 ml/kg/last year). Splenectomy was performed; the meticulous search revealed two small splenunculi embedded in the greater omentum near the splenic hilum, which was removed. Histopathological examination confirmed splenunculi. It is important to remove splenunculi during splenectomy for hematological disorders because failure to remove them may result in the nonresolution of the condition as they take over the function of the original spleen.

Keywords

• Accessory spleens
• massive splenomegaly
• multiple splenunculi
• splenectomy
• β-thalassemia major