Laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen: Report of 2 cases and review of the literature

We report 2 cases of splenic inflammatory pseudotumor treated by laparoscopic splenectomy. The first patient was a 58-year-old woman who complained of constipation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a well-demarcated mass that measured 4 cm in diameter and was not enhanced. She underwent laparoscopic splenectomy under a preoperative diagnosis of hemangioma. The final histopathologic diagnosis was inflammatory pseudotumor. The second patient was a 29-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a demarcated splenic tumor that measured 3 cm in diameter and was not enhanced. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. The pathologic and operative diagnoses were both inflammatory pseudotumor. In both cases, the postoperative course was uneventful, and the postoperative hospital stays were 10 and 11 days. Preoperative diagnosis of a splenic inflammatory pseudotumor is very difficult. However, laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and beneficial treatment for this tumor and should be performed in cases in which it is diagnosed.