Wandering spleen and primary epithelial cyst: report of a case

Wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity, and is probably a result of congenital deficiency or acquired laxity of the suspensory ligamanents holding the spleen in place. It is clinical importance is that a delay in diagnosis may lead to splenic torsion, infarction and acute abdomen. A 29-year-old female had been admitted to the gynecology unit with complaints of lower abdominal pain and a palpable mass. She had no history of trauma. Physical examination revealed a mobile, well-defined 20x10-cm solitary pelvic mass. All the blood tests including platelet count, bleeding, clotting times were normal. Radiologic studies revealed a pelvic mass including a 10-cm cyst. Laparoscopic examination revealed a wandering spleen with a 10-cm cyst, mimicking hydatid disease. Then laparotomy was performed and at operation, splenomegaly with long pedicle was found. The patient underwent splenectomy and splenic histology gave negative result for malignancy but it confirmed splenomegaly with hyperplasia and 10-cm primary splenic epithelial cyst. The patient was discharged at postoperative fourth day without complications.