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Torsion of a wandering spleen

Case contributed by Aliakbar Sahraei
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Acute abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 4 years
Gender: Female
  • absence of the spleen in the left upper quadrant
  • whirl sign: whirled appearance of hyperdense, nonenhancing splenic vessels
  • enlarged spleen, without enhancement

Case Discussion

Wandering spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen migrates from its usual anatomical position, commonly to the lower abdomen or pelvis. Wandering spleen is rare, with a reported incidence of <0.5%.

It can present as an asymptomatic or painful abdominal mass, intermittent abdominal pain, or as an acute abdomen due to torsion 1,2.

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