Wandering spleen in a postpartum female: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare condition that occurs when the spleen is not in its normal anatomical location, but in the abdominal or pelvic cavity. The mechanism of this condition may be due to dysfunction of ligaments that fixate the spleen in its position. Female hormonal alterations during pregnancy and other unknown causes in children may also play role in an ectopic spleen. Case presentation: The authors report a case of a 34-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with intermittent abdominal pain that persisted after childbirth without other symptoms. Clinical discussion: Clinically the symptoms are varied and abdominal pain is the most common presentation. Radiological investigation of WS include ultrasound, MRI, and CT, which is the most preferred tool. Treatments after the diagnosis include splenectomy or splenopexy either through laparoscopy or laparotomy. Conclusion: Physicians should include ectopic spleen as a differential diagnosis in a multiparous woman with the presentation of acute or chronic abdominal pain.

Volvulus of a wandering spleen in a pediatric patient.

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in children that is often caused by the loss or weakening of the splenic ligaments. Its clinical presentation is variable; 64% of children with wandering spleen have splenic torsion as a complication. A 13-year-old boy who had been showing abdominal pain in the hypogastric region accompanied by vomit and an enormous tumefaction in the suprapubic region came to our observation. Considering the ovoid morphology at ultrasound exam, the echostructure and the marked reduction of parenchymal vascularization, suspicion for torsion of an ectopic spleen arose. Ultrasound evaluation has a primary role in the diagnosis of a suspected wandering spleen and, to avoid potentially life-threatening complications, immediate surgery is often times required.

Torsion of a wandering spleen in a pregnant patient presented with acute abdomen: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Wandering spleen may result in torsion or splenomegaly, which causes symptoms such as intestinal obstruction, nausea, vomiting, and swelling in the abdomen. There are few reports of wandering spleen torsion in pregnant mothers. The diagnosis and presentation of splenic torsion is variable and challenging during pregnancy. Herein, we present a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 30-year-old pregnant patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old female presented with a sudden onset of abdominal pain of three days' duration. There was lower abdominal mass and tenderness. Intraoperative findings revealed enlarged spleen located over the lower abdominal cavity with six times clockwise rotation of the splenic pedicle over itself. A splenectomy was performed. The patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day and had an uneventful postoperative recovery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Patient presentation could be asymptomatic, chronic left abdominal pain or symptoms and signs of complication. The most common complication of wandering spleen is torsion (Abell, n.d.). Splenic torsion is evidenced by mucosal bleeding, hematemesis, anemia or thrombocytopenia in our patient platelets level was 111,000 cells/µl which suggests vascular thrombosis. The other peculiarity during pregnancy is torsion of the spleen have higher mortality reaching up to 41 % (Lewis and Wolskel, 1962) which may be from delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis. CONCLUSION: There is high mortality associated with splenic torsion in pregnant patient reported in the literature. One of the explanations is misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis of torsion of a wandering spleen in a pregnant patient.

Splenic torsion mistaken for an ovarian cyst: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Wandering spleen (or ectopic spleen) refers to a hyper-mobile spleen resulting in its displacement from the normal anatomical position to usually in the lower abdominal or pelvic cavity. While ultrasound is often the first radiological modality used, Computed Tomography (CT) shows a clear picture and aides to reach a diagnosis. In circumstances where appropriate imaging modalities are not available, or the operator is inexperienced, diagnosis of wandering spleen can be missed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-nulligravida unmarried Sindhi female had presented to the Emergency Room (ER) with a 5-day history of intermittent severe lower abdominal pain. An ultrasound at a local practitioner had suggested an ovarian cyst. Ultrasound-pelvis and later CT scan at our facility reported an enlarged wandering spleen with torsion of its pedicle and infarction. Exploratory laparotomy with splenectomy was done. An enlarged wandering spleen was found with torsion of the splenic vein and thrombosed arterial supply from omentum wrapped over the mass. The patient developed thrombocytosis post-surgery but otherwise did well and was discharged after 2 days. CONCLUSION: Splenic torsion secondary to a wandering spleen can be challenging to diagnose, especially in resource limited settings where ultrasound might be the only modality available. Timely diagnosis and proper intervention are key to saving the life and the spleen.

The imaging features of ectopic spleen: which modality is more consistent? A cases series report and literature reviews.

Ectopic spleen (ES) is a rare condition. It is difficult to diagnose with conventional imaging modalities. In this case series, we presented the imaging features of three misdiagnosed ES cases in our hospital and previously reported cases to compare the consistency of enhancement patterns among different imaging modalities with varied phases. Finally, 22 cases were reviewed. We determined that variable arterial phase enhancement and persistent enhancement throughout the portal and delayed phases are present in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging of the ES and found the arterial phase of CEUS had the highest consistency compared with computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Wandering Spleen Torsion: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Wandering spleen, or hypermobile spleen, arises from the elongation or maldevelopment of the spleen's suspensory ligaments. This condition is a rare clinical entity, primarily affecting children, with a higher prevalence among adult females in the active reproductive age group. Manifestations may include an asymptomatic abdominal mass or intermittent abdominal discomfort due to the torsion and subsequent spontaneous detorsion of the spleen. This case report details the presentation of a 14-year-old female initially misdiagnosed as having gastroenteritis who later experienced acute abdomen. Subsequent ultrasonography and computed tomography scan revealed splenic torsion, confirmed during exploratory laparotomy, which demonstrated an infarcted spleen. The definitive therapeutic intervention was a total splenectomy. This clinical entity should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in order to aid in early diagnosis and management. This could allow us to avoid splenectomy whenever possible and instead do splenopexy, especially in pediatric cases, as the spleen plays a crucial role in the reticuloendothelial system.

Spleno-Sigmoid Knotting - An Unfamiliar Cause of Intestinal Obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Spleno-sigmoid knotting is the twisting of the spleen around the sigmoid colon, causing obstruction of the sigmoid colon. It is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. To our knowledge, there has been no previous case report of spleno-sigmoid knotting before our case. CASE REPORT: Here, we present the case of an 18-year-old female patient who visited the surgical emergency outpatient department with diffuse and progressive abdominal pain lasting for one and a half days. She also experienced obstipation and frequent episodes of vomiting of ingested matter. Upon initial evaluation, she exhibited tachycardia and tachypnea, and her abdomen was grossly distended with diffuse direct and rebound tenderness. Further investigation revealed significant leukocytosis with neutrophil predominance. Emergency laparotomy was performed with a possible diagnosis of generalized peritonitis secondary to gangrenous sigmoid volvulus, which revealed gangrenous spleno-sigmoid knotting. DISCUSSION: Various types of intestinal knots have been reported, with ileo-sigmoid knots being the most common and ileo-ileal knots being the rarest. Wandering spleen is a rare congenital anomaly with a variable clinical presentation ranging from asymptomatic to mild abdominal pain or acute abdomen due to torsion or acute pancreatitis. It can also cause intestinal obstruction, which may be the initial presentation. CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with acute abdominal pain and features of bowel obstruction, the possibility of spleno-sigmoid knotting should be considered, and early intervention should be instituted to prevent gangrenous progression and sepsis.

Gastric volvulus and splenopancreatic torsion with wandering spleen: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Gastric volvulus is an uncommon potentially life-threatening medical condition characterized by rotation of the stomach or part of the stomach around its longitudinal or transverse axis. Acute gastric volvulus usually presents with the triads of epigastric pain, nonproductive retching, and inability to pass the nasogastric tube. Diagnosis is assisted with abdominal and chest x-ray and contrast studies. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old female presented with abdominal pain of two days duration which started at the epigastric region and later on became diffuse all over the abdomen. She had associated frequent episodes of vomiting which were initially bilious followed by nonproductive retching and low-grade intermittent fever. Abdominal examination showed a distended, diffusely tender abdomen with an ill-defined epigastric mass. Abdominal X-ray showed central abdominal circular opacity continuous with stomach outline. Intraoperative findings revealed perforated gangrenous mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus and splenopancreatic torsion with wandering spleen. Proximal subtotal gastrectomy with esophagogastric anastomosis and splenopexy was performed. The patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day and had an uneventful post-operative recovery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Primary gastric volvulus is usually mesenteroaxial with the pylorus commonly rotating anteriorly. Primary gastric volvulus can be associated with congenital asplenia and wandering spleen as both conditions are characterized by absent or loose ligamentous attachments. This case was a mesenteroaxial volvulus with splenopancreatic torsion with a wandering spleen caused by abnormal ligamentous attachments. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion for early diagnosis of gastric volvulus and timely intervention is required to improve treatment outcome.

Iatrogenic wandering spleen causing gastric outlet obstruction and perforation.

The phenomenon of a wandering spleen is rare with few published case reports. The cases published in the literature mainly result from acquired or congenital laxity of the spleen's anchoring ligaments. Our case demonstrates an uncommon complication and possibly the first reported case of an iatrogenic wandering spleen. We present an interesting case of a 51-year-old female patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis who underwent robotic-assisted left adrenalectomy for a 10-cm adrenal mass. Postoperatively, she developed uncontrolled pain and gastric distension due to spleen entrapment, leading to an open laparotomy and splenectomy with gastric perforation repair. She made an uneventful recovery. The rarity of iatrogenic wandering spleen as well as our patient's complex medical history, including chronic steroid use, presented unique challenges in postoperative management. This case highlights the importance of thorough perioperative evaluation and careful surgical planning in patients with underlying conditions.

Laparoscopic exploration of a wandering spleen in a complex adolescent case with sigmoid volvulus and left-side portal hypertension: a case report.

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare condition characterized by the hypermobility of the spleen due to the absence or abnormal flexibility of suspensory ligaments. We present a 16-year-old female presented with intermittent abdominal pain, constipation, and a palpable mass in the right iliac fossa. Imaging revealed a WS associated with sigmoid volvulus and portal hypertension. Despite a decade of symptoms, the patient remained undiagnosed. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed successfully, addressing both WS and sigmoid volvulus. The patient's symptoms resolved, and she was discharged in good condition. This case emphasizes the need for clinical awareness of WS in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. It highlights the role of imaging in prompt diagnosis and the necessity of surgical intervention. Our case sheds light on the association of WS with other conditions, providing clinicians with valuable insights for effective management.

Wandering spleen; a rare clinical presentation of chronic pain with acute torsion.

Wandering spleen results from abnormal ligamentous laxity and is often symptomatic, presented with abdominal pain and other non-specific symptoms. These symptoms, make the diagnosis very difficult and most of the times even impossible. As such, keeping in mind this pathology, can make further complications less frequent.

Splenic torsion, a challenging diagnosis in an adult presenting with acute abdomen.

INTRODUCTION: Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare condition, occurring in only 0.2 % of cases, where the spleen becomes hypermobile due to the absence or laxity of its anchoring ligaments. Torsion of the spleen, primarily seen in children but occasionally in adults, is a critical complication that can lead to infarction and is considered a medical emergency. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a case report of a 50-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and psychiatric illness presented with 2 days of vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Physical examination showed a tender mass in the abdomen and imaging confirmed a twisted spleen with a thrombosed splenic vein, leading to a successful emergency splenectomy. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged with post-splenectomy protocol. DISCUSSION: Splenic torsion, a rare occurrence primarily observed in children. Clinical diagnosis is aided by palpable abdominal masses and confirmed by radiological imaging. The gold standard diagnostic tool is contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), whereas Ultrasonography (USG) is equally good in early assessment. Early identification is crucial to salvage the spleen. Management options include detorsion, splenopexy, or splenectomy depending on the organ viability. Elective splenopexy has emerged as a proactive measure, particularly in children, to prevent complications. CONCLUSION: Splenic torsion is a rare but important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute abdomen. Early diagnosis and prompt management is necessary to preserve the spleen and to prevent the development of complication. Surgery is often necessary and either splenopexy or splenectomy should be done.

Wandering spleen torsion with portal vein thrombosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Wandering spleen is rare clinically. It is characterized by displacement of the spleen in the abdominal and pelvic cavities and can have congenital or acquired causes. Wandering spleen involves serious complications, such as spleen torsion. The clinical symptoms range from asymptomatic abdominal mass to acute abdominal pain. Surgery is required after diagnosis. Cases of wandering spleen torsion with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) are rare. There is no report on how to eliminate PVT in such cases. CASE SUMMARY: Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a diagnosis of wandering spleen torsion with PVT in a 31-year-old woman with a history of childbirth 16 mo previously who received emergency treatment for upper abdominal pain. She recovered well after splenectomy and portal vein thrombectomy combined with continuous anticoagulation, and the PVT disappeared. CONCLUSION: Rare and nonspecific conditions, such as wandering splenic torsion with PVT, must be diagnosed and treated early. Patients with complete splenic infarction require splenectomy. Anticoagulation therapy and individualized management for PVT is feasible.

Wandering Spleen and Acute Gastric Volvulus in an Elderly Woman with Acute Abdomen: A Case Report.

Gastric volvulus is an uncommon clinical condition with the potentially life-threatening complication of acute gastric necrosis. A wandering spleen may also be associated with gastric volvulus and can produce a diagnostic dilemma as the cause of an acute abdomen. We present a case of an elderly woman who presented with acute abdominal symptoms. She did not have the classical Borchardt triad to diagnose gastric volvulus and had a coexisting wandering spleen. Although torsion and ischemia of the wandering spleen were initially thought to be the cause of acute abdomen, a subsequent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan confirmed a coexistent mesenteric-axial gastric volvulus with gangrenous changes. We present this case to highlight a rare combination of pathologies, either of which can confuse the diagnosis or cause a delay in management. Early diagnosis with CECT is emphasized, and segmental resection is feasible when the rest of the viscus can be preserved.

Volvulus of a wandering enlarged pelvic spleen involving pancreatic tail: A case report.

Splenic volvulus of wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, especially if undetected. Here, we report a case of 32-year-old female who presented with worsening abdominal pain for 1-week duration. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed splenic volvulus with infarction and involvement of the pancreatic tail. She underwent exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy with preservation of the pancreatic tail. Patient progressed favourably. Our case report describes a rare clinical entity of a splenic volvulus with a twisted pancreatic tail. This is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Wandering spleen with acute torsion mimicking an adnexal mass.

Wandering spleen manifests when the splenic ligaments are underdeveloped, or become lax, thereby allowing the spleen to relocate from its anatomical site to more distant areas. During such movements, torsion of the long splenic peduncle is common, which can lead to symptoms of acute abdomen and further complications such as infarction. It is typically seen in children and young females. Our report presents a case of a 22-year-old female presenting to the ER with complaints of severe pain in the abdominal region. On ultrasound, there was suspicion of an adnexal mass, which was later confirmed to be a misplaced spleen in the lower abdomen, with torsion, fat stranding, and splenic vein thrombosis, as revealed by enhanced CT abdomen and pelvic MRI. It was followed by an emergency splenectomy. As wandering spleen presents nonspecifically and is a rare condition, it is important to consider wandering spleen when patients present similarly to this case, to prevent misdiagnosis and to deliver surgical treatment quickly to preserve the spleen.

IMAGING MANIFESTATIONS OF WANDERING SPLEEN WITH TORSION.

BACKGROUND: A wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical entity characterized by a spleen located in the lower part of the abdomen or the pelvic cavity rather than the normal anatomical site. The complications of a wandering spleen include splenic torsion, splenic infarction, and adjacent visceral injury. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a male patient admitted to the emergency department with vomiting, nausea, and persistent lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography and ultrasound were performed and were used to diagnose a wandering spleen with torsion leading to splenic infarctions. Subsequently, laparoscopic surgery and pathology confirmed this diagnosis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Ultrasound and computed tomography scans play a significant role in diagnosing WS and its complications, allowing an emergency physician to establish treatment options for WS.

Situs Inversus Partialis With a Wandering Spleen Having a Single Atrium: A Rare Tale of Survival.

This case report of a rare condition involving situs inversus partialis, wandering spleen, and a single atrium. Situs inversus partialis is a congenital developmental defect in which the abdominal or thoracic organs are reversed to the opposite side of the body across the sagittal plane. The case report highlights the congenital developmental anomaly and the diagnostic and management complexities associated with this condition. The patient in this case has survived to the age of 24, despite the presence of a single atrium. In the existing literature, situs inversus is a known congenital condition, but partial situs inversus is less common. A wandering spleen is also a rare condition characterized by splenic hypermobility. The combination of situs inversus partialis, a wandering spleen, and a single atrium is particularly unusual and has limited reported cases. Therefore, this research contributes to the existing literature by providing a unique case report and highlighting the challenges associated with diagnosis and management in such cases.

Acute Gastric Volvulus With Wandering Spleen in a Two-Year-Old Child: A Rare Association.

Gastric volvulus is a rare clinical condition characterized by a pathological rotation of the stomach greater than 180º around its axis. The wandering spleen is also an exceptional clinical entity characterized by the absence or laxity of splenic ligaments which lead to splenic mobility in the abdominal cavity from its normal anatomical site. Wandering spleen and gastric volvulus association is unusual. Both can be life-threatening if left untreated. We herein present a rare, unusual association of mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus with wandering spleen in a two-year-old child and interpret the radiological findings to ensure correct and early diagnosis.

A wandering spleen with 720° torsion and persistent ascending and descending mesocolon in a 5-year-old Syrian male: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The spleen is normally found in the left hypochondrium and it is fixed in its place by numerous suspensory ligaments. When the ligaments are elongated or abnormally developed, it causes a rare medical condition called Wandering spleen. A persistent ascending and descending mesocolon is also a congenital anomaly, resulting from the failure of fusion of the primitive dorsal mesocolon. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, a 5-year-old male child with sudden and acute onset of abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, tachycardia, and low urine output, imaging and blood tests revealed evidence of intestinal obstruction and normocytic anemia and neutrophilia. A laparotomy revealed persistent ascending and descending mesocolon, with a torsioned vascular pedicle of the spleen, resulting in splenomegaly and infarction. The surgeon successfully derotated the torsioned pedicle and performed a splenectomy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged without complications. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: This case could be asymptomatic and the diagnosis is incidental or it could be presented with ambiguous symptoms. The differential diagnosis of WS varies according to the clinical presentation and the associated complication. For instance, in the case of WS torsion and acute presentation, the differential diagnosis is ovarian torsion, acute appendicitis, and intestinal obstruction. Currently, surgery is the only suggested treatment option even in asymptomatic patients as well. CONCLUSION: This case of a Wandering Spleen is associated with a persistent ascending and descending mesocolon, suggesting that there may be certain risk factors. Therefore, we suggest making more research about wandering spleen in association with persistent mesocolon.