The wandering spleen.

The article presents two cases of wandering spleen in the pediatric age group. Both patients were admitted for abdominal pain. In one, the onset was sudden and, on physical examination, a mass was felt in the left hypochondrium. In the other, it was the second episode and a firm mid-abdominal mass was found. The wandering spleen is a specific clinical syndrome which should be taken into account when an abdominal tumor is found. Ultrasonography and isotopic scan are very useful diagnostic tools The wandering spleen is caused by the absence of the splenorenal ligament which allows increased mobility of the splenic hilum. Both children underwent a splenectomy and made an uneventful recovery.