A Case of Torsion and Infarction of a Wandering Spleen during an Observation Period

Abstract

The patient, an 81-year-old woman, under observation for 6 years, was diagnosed with a wandering spleen and splenomegaly by computed tomography (CT). Laboratory testing showed pancytopenia, but no subjective symptoms were observed. After she fell over, she developed malaise and anorexia. Her spleen was poorly enhanced with a “whirl sign” of splenic vessels on abdominal CT. She was referred to our hospital for suspected torsion and infarction of the wandering spleen. Elective splenectomy was planned because her condition was stable at the time of referral. Preoperative CT of the abdomen showed mild improvement in splenomegaly in the infarcted area of the spleen and only capsular contrast (the capsular rim sign). After total splenectomy, the patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on the 8th postoperative day.