MR Images of Infarction of Wandering Spleen Associated with Intestinal Non-rotation

Abstract

Wandering spleen is a rare clinical condition characterized by ectopic position of the spleen due to abnormal peritoneal attachments including the lienorenal and gastrosplenic ligaments (1). Wandering spleen and intestinal malrotation share a common cause: the absence of an intraperitoneal visceral ligament (2). Wandering spleen presents a wide range of clinical manifestations, from incidental finding to life-threatening conditions. The laxity of such suspensory ligaments of spleen predisposes torsion of the splenic vascular pedicle, leading to splenic infarction (3). These fatal complications, however, are not characterized by specific clinical symptoms; hence, image evaluation is crucial for detecting such complications. Radiologic imaging features of wandering spleens have been reported in previous studies, but to our knowledge, only a few cases of infarcted wandering spleen were associated with intestinal malrotations (2, 4). Herein we describe MR images of an unusual case of infarction of wandering spleen in association with intestinal non-rotation in a pediatric patient.