Wandering Spleen: An Overview

An ectopic (or “wandering”) spleen results from abnormal ligamentous laxity failing to fixate the spleen in its normal location in the left upper quadrant. Ligamentous laxity can be acquired due to conditions such as splenomegaly or pregnancy, but is often congenital. As a result of this laxity, the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current problems in diagnostic radiology 2018-01, Vol.47 (1), p.68-70
Main Authors: Reisner, David C, Burgan, Constantine M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Contrast Media
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Internal Medicine
Radiology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
Wandering Spleen - diagnostic imaging
Wandering Spleen - surgery
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Description
Summary:An ectopic (or “wandering”) spleen results from abnormal ligamentous laxity failing to fixate the spleen in its normal location in the left upper quadrant. Ligamentous laxity can be acquired due to conditions such as splenomegaly or pregnancy, but is often congenital. As a result of this laxity, there is an elongated vascular pedicle which is prone to torsion and resultant splenic infarction. These patients generally present with abdominal pain and other nonspecific symptoms making the diagnosis very difficult to make clinically. As such, the radiologist plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and care of these patients since often the diagnosis is only considered after imaging.
ISSN:0363-0188
1535-6302
DOI:10.1067/j.cpradiol.2017.02.007