Torsion of the wandering spleen

We report 2 cases of torsion of the wandering spleen that illustrate the roentgenologic features of this unusual condition. These are an abdominal mass, usually in the left flank of pelvis; absence of the splenic shadow beneath the left diaphragm; extrinsic compression of the colon at the level of the phrenicocoloc ligaments by the elongated splenic pedicle; and evidence of splenic vein occlusion, as indicated by gastric varices in the absence of esophageal varices. A combination of these findings should permit diagnosis or lead to angiographic or isotopic studies to confirm the presence of a wandering spleen.