Wandering spleen with chronic torsion in a patient with thalassaemia

Splenic torsion in a cat with chronic anemia

Case summary

A 4-year-old female spayed domestic shorthair cat with chronic anemia was evaluated for acute-onset lethargy, vomiting, abdominal distension, and a palpably enlarged and firm spleen. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed marked splenomegaly and concern for a splenic infarct, prompting exploratory abdominal surgery, where splenic torsion was diagnosed. A splenectomy was performed, and the cat recovered uneventfully. Splenitis was diagnosed on histopathology. Anemia improved postoperatively. The role of chronic anemia and other concurrent findings in the development of splenic torsion in this case remains unknown.

Relevance and novel information

Splenic torsion has not been previously reported in cats, making this the first case of its kind. In cases of splenomegaly and abnormal splenic blood flow, splenic torsion should be considered a differential diagnosis in cats.

Wandering spleen; a rare clinical presentation of chronic pain with acute torsion

Wandering spleen results from abnormal ligamentous laxity and is often symptomatic, presented with abdominal pain and other non-specific symptoms. These symptoms, make the diagnosis very difficult and most of the times even impossible. As such, keeping in mind this pathology, can make further complications less frequent.

Splenectomy for Torsion of a Wandering Spleen in a Patient with Myeloproliferative Disease

We herein report a rare case of torsion of a wandering spleen in a patient with myeloproliferative disease. A 66-year-old Japanese woman presented to our hospital with abdominal pain and a fever. She had a medical history of polycythemia and secondary myelofibrosis. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography showed an enlarged spleen without enhancement in the lower pelvic region. The clinical diagnosis was severe torsion of a wandering spleen in a patient with myeloproliferative disease, necessitating surgical intervention. Splenectomy was performed after de-rotating to revascularize the spleen. After the operation, the platelet count gradually increased, and aspirin was administered to prevent thrombosis.

Torsed wandering spleen as a cause of recurrent abdominal pain in a child

Wandering spleen is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in children. Diagnosis of this condition is challenging due to its non-specific symptoms, varying intensity and protracted history of presentation. Radiographs and ultrasound imaging provide rapid and reliable means to diagnose this condition without exposure to excessive radiation. We present a case of a torsed wandering spleen in a child with recurrent abdominal pain. We highlight the role of imaging in identifying salient radiographic and sonographic signs for diagnosis.

Treatment of Fabella syndrome with arthroscopic fabellectomy: a case series and literature review

Background

The fabella is a sesamoid bone in the posterolateral capsule of the human knee joint. In quadrupedal mammals, the fabella is believed to have a role similar to the patella in redirecting extension forces of the knee joint from one point to another. In bipeds, the fabella is not touching the back of the bent knee, and therefore the role in redirecting forces declines. Posterolateral knee pain can be associated with the irritation between the fabella and lateral femoral condyle, a phenomenon also known as fabella syndrome. In cases that are unresponsive to conservative management, surgical fabellectomy can be a successful treatment option. Among the surgical approaches, open resection is most commonly seen. There are also literature reporting arthroscopic-assisted open resection, but seldom mentioned the all-arthroscopic fabellectomy.

Case presentation

We present 3 patients with a long history (> 12 month) of posterolateral knee pain under suspicion of different pain origins. The diagnosis of fabella impingement was eventually made by ruling out of other causes. All the patients underwent all-arthroscopic fabellectomy for diagnosis and treatment. Investigations of the resected fabella suggested chronic impingement with apparent osteophyte formation and cartilage wearing of the articular side. All patients have been continually followed up at our outpatient department and reported to be pain free after the procedure.

Conclusions

In the patients presenting posterolateral pain, fabella syndrome cannot be ignored due to its relative higher presence in Asian population. In our experience, the all-arthroscopic fabellectomy offers a smaller wound size, less post-operative pain, fewer days of hospitalization and quicker time to rehabilitation for the patients with chronic posterolateral knee pain caused by fabella syndrome.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastric ectopic splenic nodules

Background

Ectopic spleen is extremely rare. Most cases are congenital, acquired ectopic spleen may be a consequence of surgery or trauma to the spleen. The ectopic spleen in the gastric wall we reported is even rarer.

Case presentation

We report a 41-year-old female patient, with a past history of splenectomy, who presented with heartburn. Gastroscopy revealed a swelling in the fundus in the stomach. Ultrasonography and computed tomographic examination suggested the possibility of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. We performed endoscopic resection of the mass. Pathological examination of the resected mass showed ectopic spleen.

Conclusion

When a patient with a history of splenectomy presents with a gastric submucosal tumor, ectopic spleen should also be considered in the differential diagnoses. And minimally invasive endoscopic treatment can achieve the purpose of diagnosis and treatment for unobvious submucosal tumors.

Wandering spleen with splenic torsion in a toddler: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Wandering spleen (WS) is a rare clinical entity characterized by splenic hypermobility caused by absent or abnormal laxity of the suspensory ligaments, which fix the spleen in its normal position. Due to abnormal attachment, the spleen is predisposed to torsion and a series of complications. Pediatric WS is mostly reported in children aged <10 years, especially among infants aged <1 year; it is uncommon among toddlers between 1 and 3 years. To the authors' knowledge, only seven cases of WS have been described previously. Herein, we present the case of a 3-year-old toddler with WS and splenic torsion.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 3-year-old boy was presented to the pediatric emergency room with a 2-day history of abdominal pain and vomiting. The ultrasonographic examination revealed a mass in the left upper abdomen cavity and absence of spleen in its normal position. Computed tomography showed an enlarged displaced spleen occupying the left abdomen cavity with an elongated splenic vascular pedicle (whirl sign), suggesting splenic torsion.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was diagnosed that had WS and splenomegaly, with or without complications due to splenic torsion.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent emergency laparotomy and splenectomy due to nonviability after detorsion.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 7th day postoperatively without complications. The patient had favorable outcome over a 1-year follow-up.

LESSONS

Herein, we reported the case of a toddler with WS with splenic torsion. Moreover, after reviewing relevant studies in literature, we presented our findings on the diagnosis and treatment of toddlers with WS. Toddlers with WS are characterized by acute abdominal pain, unclear history description, examination restrictions, and high rates of life-threatening complications. High level of suspicion, careful physical examination, detailed history collection, and objective investigation are crucial in the management of toddlers with WS.

Fabellar prevalence, degeneration and association with knee osteoarthritis in the Chinese population

The fabella is a sesamoid bone of the knee that can degenerate in some patients with osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and degeneration grades of fabellae in the Chinese population and to analyse their relationships with subject ages and knee osteoarthritis grades. The anteroposterior and lateral knee roentgenograms of 1150 subjects were recruited from the institutional database. The Kellgren-Lawrence scoring system was used to evaluate knee osteoarthritis. The degeneration grades of fabellae were scored in lateral roentgenograms by screening their shapes, sizes, subchondral sclerosis and osteophyte formation. The prevalence and degeneration of fabellae among ages, genders and knee sides were analysed by the Pearson Chi-Square test, and their relationships with knee osteoarthritis were analysed by the Spearman nonparametric correlation test. The overall prevalence of fabellae was 48.6% in 1359 knees. There was no significant difference in fabellar prevalence between the two sides (χ² = 0.025, P = 0.87437) and genders (χ² = 3.647, P = 0.05617), while the prevalence increased with the increasing ages of the subjects (χ² = 213.868, P < 0.001). The fabellar degeneration grades were correlated with age (r = 0.5288, P < 0.001) and knee osteoarthritis scores (r = 0.6892, P < 0.001). These results suggested that the fabellar prevalence and degeneration grades were correlated with age and knee osteoarthritis scores.

Emergency laparoscopic splenectomy for torsion of wandering spleen in a geriatric patient: A case report

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Wandering spleen is rare in geriatric / elderly population.

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Wandering spleen torsion may present as acute abdomen.

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Imaging is needed to diagnose wandering spleen.

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Imaging is essential in assessing splenic perfusion in case of torsion.

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Non-viable spleen can be managed by laparoscopic splenectomy.

Introduction

Wandering spleen (WS) is an uncommon congenital or acquired condition where the spleen is displaced from its normal position at the left hypochondrium to anywhere within the abdominal or pelvic cavity. The incidence is extremely rare in the geriatric population.

Presentation of Case

We present a rare case of WS torsion in a 69-year-old elderly patient who presented with an acute abdomen. Physical examination revealed a tender right lower quadrant abdominal mass. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of WS torsion with features of infarction. Subsequently, an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy was performed.

Discussion

A WS occurs due to the hypermobility of the spleen secondary to the absence or laxity of splenic suspensory ligaments. It is more commonly seen in children and adults in the third decade of life. Symptoms are usually attributed to the consequences of splenic vascular pedicle torsion. Exhibited symptoms might be unspecific; thus, radiological modalities are essential to determine the diagnosis and aid in planning its management. The treatment of choice is either open or laparoscopic splenopexy or splenectomy.

Conclusion

Due to potentially life-threatening consequences and the rarity of such cases, a thorough history, detailed physical examination, and objective investigation are the pillars to attain a prompt diagnosis for appropriate management to be conducted as soon as possible to minimise complications.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for a simultaneous wandering spleen along with an ectopic accessory spleen. Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Wandering spleen and accessory spleen are uncommon entity occurring during embryonic development. Wandering spleen results in an excessive mobility and migration of the spleen from its normal position in the left hypochondrium while accessory spleen is characterized by ectopic splenic masses or tissue disjointed from the main body of spleen. Due to the nonspecific and multiple symptoms the clinical diagnosis of both conditions is uncertain even with imaging techniques, such as CT and MRI. The coexistence of both diseases (wandering spleen ad accessory spleen) is uncommon.

CASE REPORT

A 17-year old European female with a history of minor beta thalassemia and recurrent attacks of abdominal pain. Pre- operative management consisted of routine laboratory tests, ultrasound, CT scan. An ectopic spleen along with an accessory spleen were diagnosed. After a multidisciplinary board a laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Post-operative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 6th post-operative day with the indication to continue the therapy with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 30 days CONCLUSIONS: This case represents a simultaneous condition of wandering splenomegaly along with an ectopic wandering spleen. The coexistence of these two rare conditions is peculiar such as the age of the patient, as literature reports such diseases to affect children or more commonly people in the range of 20-40 years of age. Laparoscopic treatment for this particular condition is also unusual.

Acute torsion of wandering spleen in a 17-year-old girl

The acute torsion of wandering spleen is a very rare disease characterized by acute abdominal pain. Without early surgical intervention, wandering spleen can lead to splenic infarction or rupture. However, early clinical diagnosis is very difficult, so imaging modalities play an important role. We present a case of acute abdominal pain due to torsion of the wandering spleen in a 17-year-old girl, diagnosed by computed tomography and effectively managed by splenectomy for splenic infarction.