Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:04
A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation for Studying Spleen Cell Biology and Transplant Immunity
Published on: June 11, 2019
[Pelvic splenomegaly. Ptosic, migrant or accessory spleen?]
Antonio Biondi1, Salvatore Motta, Michela Di Giunta
1Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Vittorio Emanuele-Ferrarotto- S. Bambino Catania.
Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia
|February 6, 2010
Summary
Wandering spleen, a rare condition of splenic hypermobility, can cause intermittent pain or acute complications. This case highlights the surgical management of a symptomatic wandering spleen with partial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Abdominal Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Wandering spleen is a rare congenital or acquired condition characterized by abnormal splenic location due to lax peritoneal attachments.
- It results in splenic hypermobility, with unknown precise etiology and incidence due to asymptomatic cases.
- Symptomatic presentation includes intermittent pain from pedicle torsion/detorsion or acute complications like infarction.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old male presented with a painful abdominal mass, suspected to be wandering splenomegaly.
- Diagnostic imaging (ultrasonography and CT) supported the suspicion.
- Laparotomy revealed a significantly enlarged spleen with an elongated, tortuous vascular pedicle.
Findings:
- Surgical removal (splenectomy) of the enlarged spleen and its vascular pedicle was performed.
- Histopathology confirmed partial splenic infarction.
- The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Implications:
- Wandering spleen requires surgical consideration due to potential complications like torsion and infarction.
- Splenectomy is a viable treatment option for symptomatic cases, as demonstrated in this report.
- This case underscores the importance of diagnostic imaging in identifying this rare condition and guiding surgical intervention.
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