Wandering spleen with torsion of the pedicle. A case report and review of the literature

Congenital deficiency or acquired laxity of the suspensory ligaments, that usually hold the spleen in place in its compartment, may result in extreme splenic mobility. Consequently, this mobility predisposes to torsion of the elongated splenic vascular pedicle creating a situation of acute abdomen due to haemorrhagic infarction. Various imaging modalities for diagnosing the wandering spleen such as ultrasonography, CT scan, MR-angiography, nuclear scan and arteriography are of great value both in the asymptomatic condition and in acute abdomen. We report on an unusual case of wandering spleen with torsion of the pedicle in a middle-aged woman which we casually diagnosed intraoperatively. It was not possible to preserve the wandering spleen by means of splenopexy because the splenic infarction required a splenectomy. Though the condition was not diagnosed prior to surgery, prompt intervention enabled the prognosis to remain unvaried. We review the cases reported in the literature and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic problems raised by this rare condition.     

Intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen presenting as an abdominal cystic swelling

Wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition that presents commonly with splenic infarction secondary to torsion. Intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen, however, is extremely rare. An unusual case of intrauterine torsion of a wandering spleen presenting as an abdominal mass is reported.     

Avulsion of wandering spleen after traumatic torsion

Wandering spleen usually causes clinical symptoms by torsion. Cases of torsion or hemorrhage after blunt trauma are reported. The authors experienced avulsion of wandering spleen after traumatic torsion in the victim of pedestrian injury. The spleen had been located in the left upper quadrant on the time of torsion, but it moved into the right paracolic gutter after avulsion. The avulsed spleen was removed, and the postoperative course was uneventful.     

Torsion of dystopic spleen--possible solutions

Early diagnosis the torsion of wandering spleen and surgical intervention are necessary to preserve the spleen, because persistant torsion can lead to splenic infarction. We present two cases with torsion of wandering spleen and different disease process and result. Diagnosis was by ultrasonography and CT angiography found. The 7-year-old boy with recurrent abdominal pain was admitted early and operated with spleenpreserving splenopexy. The 8-year-old girl with acute torsion of a wandering spleen was sent of after an initial misdiagnosis too late. Patient was managed by urgent laparotomy and splenectomy, because of splenic vessels thrombosis and splenic infarction. No complications occurred during two year postoperative follow up period of both patients.     

Torsion of huge wandering accessory spleen. Case report and review of literature

IntroductionAccessory spleens are found in 10–15% of the population, and are even more prevalent in patients with hematological disorders (Rudowski, 1985). It infrequently may become symptomatic due to torsion, spontaneous rupture or hemorrhage which may lead to death. Torsion of an accessory spleen is extremely rare, and requires prompt medical attention [2] (Coote et al., 1999).Presentation of caseWe report the case of a 27-year-old Mediterranean lady with thalassemia trait, who presented to the emergency department with an acute surgical abdomen due to torsion of a giant accessory spleen, measuring 13 cm. She was diagnosed with the aid of ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan and was treated surgically through resection of the spleen.Discussion and conclusionTorsion of an accessory spleen is not common, and is the surgical indication in about 0.2–0.3% of splenectomies (Mortele et al., 2004). It has variable clinical presentations, and is a difficult preoperative diagnosis due to lack of specificity of symptoms. Accessory spleens are usually smaller than 3 cm, with few cases being reported as larger than 10 cm larger accessory spleens have a higher rate of torsion. Knowledge of this pathology, and familiarity with its radiological findings are fundamental to accurately diagnosing and manageming this challenging condition.     

Laparoscopic splenopexy for wandering spleen: case report and review of the literature

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen lacks retroperitoneal fixation, thus its vascular pedicle can twist resulting in ischemia. Although splenectomy has traditionally been used for this condition, splenopexy is increasingly used in the pediatric population to anchor the spleen and preserve splenic function. We report an unusual case of wandering spleen in an adult with chronic torsion managed with laparoscopic splenopexy, suggesting splenic preservation is possible in adults with this presentation as well.     

Laparoscopic splenectomy due to torsion of a wandering spleen

Wandering spleen is an uncommon entity, characterized by the anomalous position of the spleen, caused by the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments. The most common symptoms are usually due to intermittent or complete torsion of the splenic pedicle with subsequent infarction. We report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed and recovery was uneventful. Although few cases of wandering spleen treated laparoscopically have been reported in the literature, laparoscopy has been demonstrated to be a safe technique for the treatment of this entity.     

Wandering spleen with chronic torsion

Wandering spleen, a rare clinical entity with a high incidence of splenic torsion and infarction, was preoperatively diagnosed in a 28-year-old woman. Axial computed tomography showed the absence of the spleen in the left subphrenic space and a spleen-like mass in the pelvis, suggestive of a wandering spleen. A coronal contrast-enhanced computed tomography image exhibited the enlarged spleen suspended by elongated, dilated, and somewhat tortuous splenic vessels. Owing to the symptomatic splenomegaly with hypersplenism and chronic torsion, laparoscopic splenectomy was performed.     

Torsion of a wandering spleen presenting with acute abdomen: a case report

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by increased splenic mobility due to the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments that may present as acute abdomen when it is twisted on its pedicle. Herein we report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 17-year-old male patient with communicating hidrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The patient presented with suspicious clinical findings of acute abdomen, a laparotomy was performed and the infarcted spleen was removed. Although wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity, the possibility of torsion should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.     

Torsion of a Wandering Spleen Presenting with Acute Abdomen: a Case Report

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by increased splenic mobility due to the absence or laxity of its suspensory ligaments that may present as acute abdomen when it is twisted on its pedicle. Herein we report a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 17-year-old male patient with communicating hidrocephalus and ventricu-loperitoneal shunt. The patient presented with suspicious clinical findings of acute abdomen, a laparotomy was performed and the infarcted spleen was removed. Although wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity, the possibility of torsion should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.     

The splenic snood: an improved approach for the management of the wandering spleen.

A wandering spleen is in constant danger of torsion and infarction. Splenectomy, the traditional treatment, leaves children in danger of postsplenectomy sepsis. Three children with wandering spleens were treated by a new splenopexy technique, the splenic snood. After detorsion, the spleens were wrapped in polyglycolic mesh and anchored by the mesh subdiaphragmatically in the left upper quadrant. All have retained their spleens which have remained where anchored up to a 4-year follow-up. The simplicity and technical ease of the splenic snood operation recommend it as an improved method to avoid splenectomy and safely normalize intraabdominal anatomy in the management of the wandering spleen.     

Splenic Autotransplantation for a Congested and Enlarged Wandering Spleen with Torsion: Report of a Case

In children with diseases of the spleen, every effort should be made to preserve the organ, to prevent severe infections postsplenectomy. We report the case of a 7-year-old girl with torsion of a wandering spleen who we treated by autotransplantation of splenic tissues following splenectomy, when fixation of the enlarged spleen seemed impossible. Spleen scintigraphy showed uptake in the regenerating splenic tissues 9 months after surgery, and evidence of an increase in the size of the tissues 23 months after surgery. Howell–Jolly bodies had disappeared by 16 months after surgery. These findings suggested that the transplanted splenic tissues were resuming splenic functions. Based on our experience with this case, we conclude that autotransplantation after splenectomy is a treatment option for wandering spleen with torsion when fixation seems difficult because of splenic congestion and enlargement.     

Wandering spleen in childhood: A report of three cases

Wandering spleen is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children, and an accurate diagnosis is seldom made preoperatively. A splenectomy is the treatment of choice in cases of splenic torsion and infarction, while in patients with chronic symptoms splenopexy may also be attempted. We herein report three patients with wandering spleen, of whom two presented with acute torsion of the splenic pedicle and one demonstrated an asymptomatic mobile abdominal mass. In the first case splenopexy was attempted, but during follow-up the spleen was found to have undergone atrophy. The presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment modalities in pediatric wandering spleen are reviewed.     

Splenic torsion: a case report

IntroductionTorsion of the spleen is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Predisposition occurs following abnormal development of splenic suspensory ligaments. We report a case of splenic torsion in a spleen sited in a normal anatomical position and discuss the latest treatment options. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported in the literature to date.Case PresentationA 73-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our department with sudden onset, severe, left-upper abdominal pain. An enhanced computed tomography revealed an unenhancing spleen. She underwent an urgent laparotomy and splenectomy for 360° torsion of her spleen.ConclusionsSplenic torsion in a wandering spleen has been described with an incidence of < 0.2%. Symptoms vary from asymptomatic to an acute surgical abdomen. Diagnosis is commonly made using colour Doppler sonography or enhanced computed tomography. Surgery is guided by clinical setting, with preservation of the spleen as the goal.     

Ectopic spleen: An easily identifiable but commonly undiagnosed entity until manifestation of complications

INTRODUCTION

Ectopic spleen is an uncommon clinical entity as splenectomy for treatment of ectopic spleens accounts for less than 0.25% of splenectomies. The most common age of presentation is childhood especially under 1 year of age followed by the third decade of life.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The present report refers to a patient with torsion of a pelvic spleen treated with splenectomy. The patient exhibited a period of vague intermittent lower abdominal pain lasted 65 days followed by a period of constant left lower quadrant pain of increasing severity lasted 6 days. On the first 65 days, vague pain was attributed to progressive torsion of the spleen which resulted in venous congestion. On the last 6 days, exacerbation of pain was attributed to irreducible torsion, infraction of the arterial supply, acute ischemia, strangulation and rupture of the gangrenous spleen. Diagnosis was made by CT which revealed absence of the spleen in its normal position, a homogeneous pelvic mass with no contrast enhancement, free blood in the peritoneal cavity, and confirmed by laparotomy.

DISCUSSION

Clinical manifestations of ectopic spleen vary from asymptomatic to abdominal emergency. Symptoms are most commonly attributed to complications related to torsion. Operative management, including splenopexy or splenectomy, is the treatment of choice in uncomplicated and complicated cases because conservative treatment of an asymptomatic ectopic spleen is associated with a complication rate of 65%.

CONCLUSION

Although an ectopic spleen can be easily identified on clinical examination, it is commonly misdiagnosed until the manifestation of complications in adulthood.     

Accessory wandering spleen: Report of a case of laparoscopic approach in an asymptomatic patient

INTRODUCTION

Accessory wandering spleen is a rare but dangerous condition. Abnormalities of the ligamentous apparatus of an accessory spleen may evolve into torsion of its vascular axis, which can lead to a splenic infarct making surgery necessary. Patients are often asymptomatic and the diagnosis can be accidental. An early diagnosis and a correct treatment are fundamental.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In this case report a young woman underwent laparoscopic surgery after an incidental finding at a Pelvic Ultrasound of an accessory wandering spleen.

DISCUSSION

In literature are reported cases of asymptomatic patients with an accessory wandering spleen treated with a conservative approach. However, a torsion or infarct of the accessory wandering spleen leads to emergency surgery. The presence of an independent vascular axis of the accessory spleen reduces the risk of postoperative complications (e.g. thrombocytosis) and the administration of low molecular weight heparin should prevent the risk of portal thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

We suggest performing surgery with a laparoscopic approach in patients with accessory wandering spleen, though asymptomatic, because of the risk of serious complications in case of accessory spleen torsion.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis and previous abdominal surgery

Background: Wandering spleen is a spleen lacking its normal ligamentous attachments, and thus subjected to free movement in the abdominal cavity, and even torsion around its pedicle. Surgical treatment includes either fixation (splenopexy) or resection (splenectomy). Both procedures can now be accomplished using the laparoscopic approach. Methods and results: We describe a case of a torsion of a wandering spleen, leading to recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, and eventually to splenic ischemia, necessitating splenectomy. The diagnosis was complicated by associated angiographic findings of celiac axis occlusion, possibly by median arcuate ligament compression. Laparoscopic splenectomy was successful, and led to complete resolution of symptoms. Conclusions: Although a rare condition, wandering spleen can be diagnosed accurately by imaging studies, mainly CT scan and angiography. Nowadays, the laparoscopic approach is preferred and enables the surgeon to perform either splenopexy or splenctomy, depending on the vascular status of the spleen.     

Spontaneous rupture of a wandering spleen: case report and literature review

Wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity. The etiology is not precisely known, and the management is controversial. Patients may become symptomatic when torsion of the pedicle results in pain, ischemia, infarction, or rupture. We present a spontaneous rupture of a wandering spleen without any history of trauma.     

Laparoscopic mesh splenopexy (sandwich technique) for wandering spleen.

BACKGROUND: Wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition caused by incomplete fusion of the 4 primary splenic ligaments, allowing the spleen to be mobile within the abdomen, predisposing to splenic torsion along the vascular pedicle leading to splenomegaly and infarction, often diagnosed in an emergency setting. METHODS: The wandering spleen diagnosis was achieved by ultrasound in our case. We successfully treated the patient with laparoscopic splenopexy because the size was almost normal, and no infarction or evidence of hypersplenism was present. We used the sandwich technique in which 2 meshes sandwich the spleen. RESULTS: This technique was found to be highly satisfactory as a treatment for wandering spleen. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day with no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy usually confirms the diagnosis. Recommended surgical procedures are splenopexy or splenectomy. Splenopexy is feasible, less invasive, and does not diminish splenic function.     

Torsion of a huge accessory spleen in a 20-year-old patient

INTRODUCTION

Accessory spleen is a rare condition. Torsion of accessory spleen can lead to acute abdomen.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We describe a young woman with an acute abdomen caused by torsion of accessory spleen. Abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated an ischemic giant accessory spleen with a twisted vascular pedicle. An emergency laparotomy was performed with resection of the infarcted accessory spleen.

DISCUSSION

Accessory spleen is a rare and asymptomatic condition. Torsion of accessory spleen is also uncommon. Abdominal pain is the main symptom. CTA is effective in reaching a diagnosis. Definitive treatment of an acute abdomen due to accessory splenic torsion is emergency accessory splenectomy.

CONCLUSION

Elective accessory splenectomy should be recommended for known giant accessory spleen to prevent complications in future.