Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0038002 (splenomegaly)
 9,873 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Wandering spleen is a rare birth defect characterized by absence or weakness of one or more of the ligaments that hold the spleen in its normal position. In this report we present the case of a 6-year-old girl admitted with diffuse abdominal pain, fever and emesis. Ultrasound and CT scan revealed the spleen was not found in its normal anatomical position. An enlarged spleen was identified displaced anteriorly and inferiorly at the L3 to L5-S1 level. Doppler ultrasonography of the splenic vessels revealed no blood flow consistent with infarction. Patient was taken to the operation room for a laparoscopic splenectomy. Treatment of choice for splenoptosis is surgery, either splenopexy or splenectomy. Decision to perform splenopexy or splenectomy depends on the viability of the spleen after detorsion. If the spleen appears infarcted, a splenectomy should be performed. Splenopexy is a reasonable option when the spleen appears viable after detorsion.
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PMID:Laparoscopic splenectomy for infarcted splenoptosis in a child: a case report. 2093 5

Wandering spleen or splenoptosis is an uncommon entity and often an asymptomatic finding of acute abdomen in the emergency department. A high index of suspicion for splenic torsion is required, particularly in patients with known splenomegaly, as this condition could potentially lead to splenic infarction. Recognition of this condition can help avoid potential confusion with acute abdomen of other aetiologies. Herein, we present a unique case of wandering spleen with chronic torsion, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been described in an elderly patient with haemoglobin H thalassaemia. We also review the literature for the aetiology and pathogenesis of wandering spleen, and discuss the relevant diagnostic modalities and treatment options.
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PMID:Wandering spleen with chronic torsion in a patient with thalassaemia. 2563 Mar 26