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Case studies
A wandering spleen: A common presentation of an uncommon anomaly
South African Family Practice | Vol 52, No 1 : January/February| a1166 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20786204.2010.10873930
| © Copyright Status: Not provided. Contact Holding Institution to verify copyright status. Rights Holder: South African Academy of Family Physicians
Submitted: 06 June 2008 | Published: 28 February 2010
Submitted: 06 June 2008 | Published: 28 February 2010
About the author(s)
Anthony C. Ugwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, NigeriaOgbonna Chukwudi, Federal Medical Centre, Nigeria
Augustine O. Imo, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
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PDF (906KB)Abstract
Background: With the advent of real time ultrasonography of the abdomen, the spleen is no longer an inaccessible organ. Wandering spleen is a rare entity with only less than 500 cases reported so far.
Method: This case report presents a 16-year- old Nigerian girl admitted in a medical centre but referred for ultrasonography on account of a clinical history of lower abdominal tenderness.
Result: Ultrasonography examination revealed that the spleen was not found in its normal anatomical position. However, a well acoustic signature of the spleen was seen in the pelvis.
Conclusion: Ultrasonography which is far cheaper than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) is a valuable diagnostic aid in this condition.
Keywords
wandering spleen; ultrasonography; Nigeria
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