Wandering Spleen with Splenic Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report

Abstract

A wandering spleen is a rare clinical occurrence with fewer than 500 cases reported and an incidence of less than 0.2%1, 2. The spleen is an important component of the reticuloendothelial system, which is involved in immunological defence and can serve as a storage site for red blood cells3. The spleen is normally supported by the gastrosplenic, splenorenal and splenocolic ligaments, whereby failure of attachment of these ligaments to the spleen’s overlying peritoneum results in a hypermobile spleen3, 4. All cases of a wandering spleen have been found associated with a long splenic pedicle which consists of the splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas2-4. A wandering spleen can be either congenital or acquired. In the congenital condition the ligaments fail to develop properly, whereas in the acquired form the hormonal effects of pregnancy and abdominal wall laxity are proposed as determining factors 5-7. In addition, failure of fusion of the dorsal mesogastrium during foetal development resulting in the characteristic long vascular pedicle has been attributed8. However, the precise aetiology of the wandering spleen is not known 2.

Key words: Spleen, wandering, splenic, vein, thrombosis