The Great Pretender: Pediatric Wandering Spleen: Two Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2016 Sep;32(9):619-22. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000000642.

Abstract

Wandering spleen is a rare condition, typically not only due to embryological defects of the splenic ligaments, but also secondary to trauma and splenomegaly. The most common presentation is acute abdomen with a mobile abdominal mass or recurrent abdominal pain. However, the spleen may be temporary in its normal position, and patients could be asymptomatic. A familiarity, if present, strengthens the diagnostic suspect.Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography are the examination of choice, and the management is surgical.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / etiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Spleen / abnormalities
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / surgery*
  • Splenectomy / methods*
  • Splenomegaly
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Wandering Spleen / diagnosis*
  • Wandering Spleen / surgery