An accessory spleen (splenule) is a small extra nodule of normal splenic tissue separate from the main spleen. It is present in about 10-30% of people and usually lies near the splenic hilum.
| Location | Most often near the splenic hilum, also in the gastrosplenic ligament, near the pancreatic tail or in the greater omentum |
|---|---|
| Nerve Supply | Coeliac plexus |
| Blood Supply | Branches of the splenic artery |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Functions like normal splenic tissue.
After splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenia, a missed accessory spleen can enlarge and cause relapse. On scans it can be mistaken for a lymph node or tumour, especially in the pancreatic tail.
Return of immune thrombocytopenia due to a retained accessory spleen.
A splenule in the pancreatic tail mistaken for a pancreatic tumour.
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