Laparoscopic Splenectomy for Splenic Metastasis from Primary Lung Carcinoma.

Introduction: Isolated splenic metastases are a rare finding. Though several primary tumors can produce splenic metastases, including lung carcinoma, there are very few documented cases of isolated splenic metastases from lung carcinoma. This report presents such a case in which the splenic metastasis was removed with laparoscopic splenectomy.

Presentation Of Case: A 69-year-old woman with a history of lung carcinoma presented with several months of abdominal pain. Abdominal CT identified a splenic mass which was resected laparoscopically. Pathology confirmed a splenic metastasis from a primary large cell lung carcinoma.

Discussion: Due to its anatomical and physiological characteristics, the spleen is a well-protected organ with respect to metastatic spread. The rarity of such metastases means that there is no evidence-based form of management. This case presents this rare metastatic occurrence and the successful management of the disease via laparoscopic splenectomy.

Conclusions: This case confirms that splenic metastases can result from a primary lung carcinoma. Furthermore, the case supports successful management of this pathology by laparoscopic splenectomy.