Endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric ectopic splenic nodules

BACKGROUND: Ectopic spleen is extremely rare. Most cases are congenital, acquired ectopic spleen may be a consequence of surgery or trauma to the spleen. The ectopic spleen in the gastric wall we reported is even rarer. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 41-year-old female patient, with a past history of splenectomy, who presented with heartburn. Gastroscopy revealed a swelling in the fundus in the stomach. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic examination suggested the possibility of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. We performed endoscopic resection of the mass. Pathological examination of the resected mass showed ectopic spleen. CONCLUSION: When a patient with a history of splenectomy presents with a gastric submucosal tumor, ectopic spleen should also be considered in the differential diagnoses. And minimally invasive endoscopic treatment can achieve the purpose of diagnosis and treatment for unobvious submucosal tumors.