title: Acute torsion of a wandering spleen.
abstract: The 'wandering spleen' is a rare condition due to extreme laxity or absence of ligaments that fix the organ in its normal anatomical position within the left upper quadrant. Without early surgical intervention, wandering spleen can lead to torsion and subsequent splenic infarction or rupture. Clinical suspicion plus urgent investigation and intervention are important, so as to salvage the spleen and prevent complications. We present a case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a 21-year-old young woman, who presented with a painful pelvic mass. We also reviewed the literature on this entity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. lam_yui@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Kenny K Y
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014102:Torsion Abnormality / Q000209:etiology*; D050805:Wandering Spleen / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult