Isolated splenogonadal fusion

Isolated splenogonadal fusion is a very rare birth defect in which tissue from the spleen is abnormally connected to a gonad (usually the testis in males, or rarely the ovary in females). The word 'isolated' means this condition occurs on its own, without other major birth defects — as opposed to the 'continuous' type, where a band of splenic tissue connects the spleen to the gonad along with other possible malformations. This condition is present from birth and develops during early fetal life when the spleen and the gonads are forming close to each other. In most cases, it is discovered by accident during surgery for another reason, such as an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) or an inguinal hernia. The fused splenic tissue usually appears as a lump or mass attached to or near the testicle, which can sometimes be mistaken for a tumor. Because of this, some patients have undergone unnecessary removal of the testicle before the true diagnosis was made. The condition overwhelmingly affects males and is most often found on the left side of the body. In most cases, isolated splenogonadal fusion does not cause symptoms on its own and does not affect overall health. Treatment depends on the situation: if the diagnosis is confirmed, the splenic tissue can often be carefully separated from the gonad, preserving the testicle. Awareness of this condition is important so that doctors avoid removing a healthy testicle unnecessarily.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.Can the splenic tissue be separated from the testicle without removing it?,Will this condition affect my child's fertility in the future?,Is any additional testing needed to confirm this is not a tumor?,Should a nuclear medicine scan be done before surgery to confirm the diagnosis?,Will my child need any follow-up appointments after surgery?,Is there any chance this condition could affect the other testicle?,Are there any other birth defects we should check for?

Common questions about Isolated splenogonadal fusion