There are Type I and Type II Spleen cysts; the Type I are true primary cysts. These may have cysts with a cellular lining of parasitic appearance or non-parasitic appearance. The non-parasitic type I splenic cysts are themselves classified as congenital or neoplastic. The Type II cysts are secondary cysts, which are said to be false, they are without a cellular lining and are commonly found following a blunt trauma to the spleen. The Nonparasitic splenic cysts (NPSCs) are uncommon lesions of the spleen; many are often reported in anecdotal publications. As said above the classifications of this condition have been based on the presence or absence of an epithelial lining, they indicate either a congenital or a traumatic cyst. It is believed that the non-parasitic cysts of the spleen are most common in Europe and North America and the spleen cysts with parasitic infection are more common in Africa and Central America.

It is believed that the majority of splenic cysts occur as a result of parasitic infection, commonly in countries where hydatid disease is endemic in countries as mentioned above. In the Western world, however, their occurrence is extremely rare and the aetiology is less clear. Is it really true that splenic cysts here are parasitic infections?.