Giant Cavernous Haemangioma of the Wandering Spleen

Abstract

Cavernous haemangioma is a rare disorder of the spleen with fewer than 100 cases reported [1]. Spleen may have an unusual degree of mobility and occupy an atypical location in less than 0.2 % of all the patients [2] Wandering spleen has been associated with incomplete fusion or even absence of gastrosplenic and lienorenal ligaments [3]. A 36-year-old woman presented with a six-month history of pain in the left hypochondrium and a massive splenomegaly. Ultrasonography, Doppler studies, and computed tomography were performed. Ultrasonography showed a large heterogeneous solid cystic mass, measuring 11.2 cm × 10.6 cm, located in the pelvis. Thin soft tissue connecting this mass to spleen noticed. Spleen was malrotated & in left lumbar fossa. Doppler studies shows prominent vessels at the periphery of the mass with high velocity external flow and scanty vascularity at the centre, probably suggesting haemangioma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen showed spleen in left lumbar region with a large heterogeneous, predominantly cystic mass lesion measuring 11.2 x 10.6 cm seen arising from diaphragmatic surface of lower pole of the spleen (Fig. 1), findings were suggestive of wandering spleen with a haemangioma or a hydatid cyst. The patient was explored by a left para-median incision under general anaesthesia. Peroperatively, there was a malrotated enlarged spleen with a large solid lesion confined to the lower half of the spleen (Fig. 2). Gastrosplenic ligament was not visualized. Total splenectomy was done after ligating the splenic artery as the main splenic artery was supplying the mass.