Colonic obstruction caused by wandering spleen: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction:The wandering spleen (WS) is a very rare defect characterized by the absence or weakness of one or more of the ligaments fixing the organ in its anatomical position in the upper left abdomen.Case Report: A 56-year-old man with strong family history of bowel cancer and long history of gastrointestinal atony presented acute abdominal pain, due to colonic obstruction caused by the torsion of an unknown WS. Total splenectomy was successfully performed and the patient recovered well. Conclusion:Our report illustrates a rare clinical feature that can represent a diagnostic challenge and a surgical emergency.

Splenectomy for wandering splenomegaly in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report of a rare association

“…Acute abdominal pain is the main sign of a complicated form of WS. It is due to splenic torsion, reported in about 0.2 to 0.3 % of patients suffering from WS, and it is more frequent in splenomegaly [2] , [11] . Medical history only cannot lead to the diagnosis of WS, and physical examination findings are variable depending on the location of the spleen and complications.…”

“…While the laparoscopic approach is feasible, we have preferred to plan an open intervention. Splenectomy should be associated with prophylactic antibiotics to avoid complications [11] . Vaccination against pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae , and meningococcus should also be given.…”