title: Acute torsion of a wandering spleen in a post-partum female: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by ectopic position of the spleen due to the absence or laxity of peritoneal ligaments that hold the organ within the left upper quadrant. Lower abdomen and pelvis are the most common locations of the wandering spleen. The disorder usually remains asymptomatic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of acute abdomen due to torsion of a wandering spleen in a primiparus, healthy female shortly after delivery. Diagnosis was based on ultrasonography and computed tomography and was confirmed later on surgery. Total splenectomy was performed successfully.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rarity of the condition and the nonspecific clinical symptoms and signs make prompt diagnosis challenging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt recognition and intervention are necessary in order to minimize the risk of complications. For this reason physicians have to include the condition in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain especially when they encounter females in a pregnancy or post-natal period.
authors.affiliation: Primary Health Care Centre of Kissamos, Chania, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: danyfantakis@med.uoc.gr.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anyfantakis
authors.forename: Miltiades
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kastanakis
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsougris
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papadomichelakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrakis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bobolakis
keywords: Diagnosis; Management; Post-partum; Torsion; Wandering spleen