Ectopic splenic tissues mimicking gastro-intestinal stromal tumour in a patient after splenectomy for a giant epithelial cyst of spleen: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic splenic tissues left after a previous splenectomy can masquerade as a gastro-intestinal stromal tumour (GIST). PRESENTATION OF CASE: Splenectomy was carried out for a 17-year-old girl with a giant epithelial cyst of spleen. Four years later, an upper endoscopy carried out for dyspepsia revealed two sub-mucosal lesions at the posterior wall of the gastric fundus. Computed tomography diagnosed a GIST. At operation, a dump-bell shaped extragastric mass was excised. Histology showed normal splenic tissues. DISCUSSION: Giant epithelial cyst of spleen is rare. It is even rarer for ectopic splenic tissues left after splenectomy to masquerade as a GIST. CONCLUSION: Ectopic splenic tissues should be included as a differential diagnosis in a patient who has a history of splenectomy presenting with a sub-mucosal gastric tumour.