splenic cysts: analysis of 16 cases

background: splenic cysts are known as rare clinical encounter. classifying into primary (true) and secondary cysts (pseudocysts), true cysts contain cellular epithelial lining and subdivided into parasitic and non-parasitic cysts. this study aimed to determine the outcome of treatment in patients with splenic cyst. methods: all patients with splenic cyst who had been treated in department of general surgery of ghaem and omid teaching hospitals over a 24-year period were identified. the medical records of these 16 patients were reviewed. results: the study patients included 11 females (68.75%) and 5 males (31.25%) with average age of 39.8 years. fifteen cases had true cyst including 11 parasitic cysts (hydatid) and only one pseudocyst. 37.5% of the splenic cysts had coexistent cysts in liver, pelvis, omentum and paracolic regions. nine patients underwent total splenectomy and 5 cases partial splenectomy and 2 remaining cases received conservative medical treatment. the size of the cysts varied from 6 to 25 centimeter with average size of 14.3 centimeter. all patients with hydatid cysts received albendazole postoperative medical treatment with albendazole for 6 months. all patients recovered after treatment. conclusion: open splenectomy whether total or partial is effective and safe in patients with splenec cysts with or without hydatidosis. the outcome of treatment is good without recurrences.