Acute abdomen due to torsion of wandering spleen: CT diagnosis

Abstract

Two adults and a child with acute abdomen and surgically confirmed torsion of wandering spleen are presented. Computed tomography provided a spectrum of findings including an ovoid or comma-shaped abdominal mass, hypertrophy of the liver's left lobe, a whirled appearance of hyperdense, nonenhancing splenic vessels, and an enlarged spleen, exhibiting minimal or no enhancement. Computed tomography also indicated the point of torsion and the viability of splenic parenchyma.

Unusual long term complications of a splenic cyst

“…In the congenital case there is abnormal development of the dorsal mesogastrium causing defective attachment of the dorsal mesentery. The acquired case is due to abdominal wall laxity or the hormonal effects of pregnancy, which explains why wandering spleen usually occurs in females between the ages of 20-40 years of age (9,10). Rarely a wandering spleen may be due to an associate mass (11)(12)(13) as in the case we have described.…”

Wandering spleen: as a differential diagnosis in pelvic masses

“…5,7,9 However, it is the whorled appearance of the splenic vessels and surrounding fat at the splenic hilum that is considered as specific of torsion of a wandering spleen. 10 Until recently, splenectomy has been performed for wandering spleen though several authors had advocated splenopexy earlier. 11,12 Stringel et al fixed the spleen via its pedicle.…”

Torsion of wandering spleen as a rare reason for acute abdomen: A presentation of two cases

“…The phrenocolic ligament supports fixation of the spleen in the upper abdomen (5-7). During fetal development, the failure of fusion of the dorsal peritoneum and the dorsal part of gastric mesentery leads to the development of a longer than normal splenic mesentery (5,7). In addition to this congenital pathology, conditions that cause looseness of the connective tissue may cause wandering spleen.…”