Wandering spleen: 11 cases from Uganda

Abstract

Eleven cases of wandering spleen are described of which 8 were in children. Six patients presented with a chronic abdominal mass and 5 with acute torsion. In the chronic case the diagnosis may be clarified by the use of radioactive 51 Cr, and the plain abdominal X-ray is of value in chronic and acute presentations. Splenectomy is required for all acute cases but a technique for preservation of the spleen is feasible in the chronic case. The condition may arise from association of splenomegaly and maldevelopment of the dorsal mesogastrium.