Accessory spleen resection in refractory primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia – a diagnostic challenge

Abstract

In primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia there is formation of autoantibodies against the splenic platelet membranes causing platelet destruction with clinical deterioration consisting of petechiae, haemorrhages and thrombocytopenia. When the medical management with corticoids and immunoglobulins fails, it is indicated the accomplishment of splenectomy that works for partial remission of the persistent disease. Performing splenectomy requires the study of an accessory spleen or the recurrent splenic material, that is commonly associated with poor response to treatment and frequent relapses of primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia. A case is presented in a 27-year-old patient with a history of primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia requiring splenectomy, with adequate postoperative evolution and remission of symptoms for two years who later presents clinical and paraclinical relapse with platelets at 11,000 cells/uL in the context of severe symptomatic thrombocytopenia, with the presence of gingivorrhagia, petechiae in the lower limbs and abdomen. Active search of supernumerary spleen was performed by means of complementary studies that showed an accessory spleen located in the gastrocolic ligament, which was resected by laparoscopy with adequate symptomatic remission response of the refractory primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia. In splenectomized patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who have relapsed their disease, they require an active search for supernumerary spleens since it is a frequent cause of their reappearance.