What Is an Accessory Spleen?
An accessory spleen is a small nodule of splenic tissue found apart from the main body of the spleen. Accessory spleens are found in approximately 10 percent of the population and are typically around 1 centimetre in diameter. They may resemble a lymph node or a small spleen.

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Keeping this in consideration, what is accessory spleen symptoms?

Patients have acute abdominal pain, and the site of pain depends on the location of the accessory spleen. They may also have nausea, vomiting, fever, and leukocytosis (4, 6, 24). Patients with chronic intermittent torsion may have a history of relapsing and remitting pain symptoms (5, 24, 25, 26).

Furthermore, what does it mean to have two spleens? Occasionally individuals are born with more than one spleen. Multiple (accessory) spleens do not cause medical problems, and nothing is done about them. Rarely, accessory spleens may be confused with tumors. They usually can be definitely identified by radionuclide liver-spleen scans.

In this manner, can an accessory spleen cause pain?

Accessory spleens are found in 10–30% of patients and are asymptomatic. Rarely, torsion of an accessory spleen can cause abdominal pain and acute abdomen. Rarely, an accessory spleen may become torsed around its vascular pedicle resulting in severe abdominal pain. Treatment is surgical resection.

Do accessory spleens grow?

No, It's Not a Throwaway Organ If the cells are lucky enough to land somewhere with a lot of blood vessels, they grow into tiny extra spleens called splenunculi." We prefer the term accessory spleens.

Related Question Answers

Can a human spleen grow back?

Unlike some other organs, like the liver, the spleen does not grow back (regenerate) after it is removed. Up to 30% of people have a second spleen (called an accessory spleen). These are usually very small, but may grow and function when the main spleen is removed.

Where is the accessory spleen?

They may be found anywhere along the splenic vessels, in the gastrosplenic ligament, the splenorenal ligament, the walls of the stomach or intestines, the pancreatic tail, the greater omentum, the mesentery, the renal fossa, or the gonads and their path of descent.
James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.