Splenunculi-incidence, location and characteristics in patients undergoing ct in kashmir division of Jammu and Kashmir

Splenunculus or splenunculi are congenital small asymptomatic benign nodules on spleen, present as splenic tissue mass but separate from the main spleen. They are formed as a result of failure of fusion of the primordial splenic buds in the dorsal mesogastrium during the 5th week of foetal life. Splenunculi are generally asymptomatic. Rarely they can be a cause of left upper abdominal pain. The study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of splenunculi in patients undergoing Computerised tomography of the abdomen in Kashmir division of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: The study was carried in the Department of Radio-diagnosis and Imaging, GMC Srinagar of Kashmir. 178 patients in the age group 18-70 years (with a mean age of 47.6years) were included in the study. The patients with history of previous abdominal surgery, abdominal trauma, abdominal malignancies and haematological disorders were excluded from the study. The patients that were included in the study were keenly analysed for splenunculi and if present, the number, location, size and shape were noted and analysed. Results: A total of 178 patients with abdominal CT scans were analysed from June 2021 to June 2022. The most common age group was between 41-60 years. Among the178 subjects, 58 had splenunculi (33%). Majority were solitary and small (0.5-1cm) (53%). Most of the splenunculi were located at splenic hilum (50%) and were 0.5-1cm in size and oval in shape. Conclusion: The incidence of splenunculi in kashmiri population was high in the age group between 41-60 years compared to other age groups. Majority of splenunculi were solitary and the most common location being splenic hilum and size of 0.5-1cm with oval shape .