[Wandering spleen syndrome in childhood]

Wandering spleen is a clinical condition in which an absence of ligaments and a long vascular pedicle allows the spleen to move freely in the abdomen. It is a rare entity in children but the exactly incidence is unknown because most of them are asymptomatic. The most common form of presentation is acute, chronic or intermittent abdominal pain caused by spleen torsion. Ultrasonography is the elective diagnostic method, but frequently diagnosis is made after surgery. We report two cases with acute splenic torsion in children and we discuss the clinical presentation, etiology, diagnostic procedures and management. We conclude that splenopexy--if possible--is the treatment of choice in children.