Ultrasonographic and colour Doppler features of intrapancreatic splenic tissue in a cat

Abstract

Case summary A 2-year-old female neutered domestic long hair cat was referred for a three-day history of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination documented abdominal distention and pain, which alongside marked electrolyte imbalances on blood biochemistry was highly suspicious for a gastrointestinal obstruction. This was confirmed on diagnostic imaging, with abdominal ultrasonography also identifying an incidental well-defined small lobular hypoechoic nodule adjacent to the tail of the spleen, with high vascularity on Doppler interrogation. This was identified as a focal nodule at the tip of the left limb of the pancreas at surgery, and resected via partial pancreatectomy. Histopathological examination confirmed intrapancreatic splenic tissue. Relevance and novel information This case reports presents the first available ultrasonographic description and images of intrapancreatic splenic tissue in a cat. It is thought to be a benign lesion of low clinical significance and therefore characterizing its imaging characteristics may allow to improve diagnostic suspicion without resorting to excisional surgery.