Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report

Introduction: Accessory spleens are masses of splenic tissue commonly located near the splenic hilum and found in 10 %–30 % of the population. Accessory spleens can be either solitary or multiple. Due to their variable location, complications of accessory spleens can mimic other acute abdominal cond...

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Main Authors: Addisu Andargie, Absalat Serawit Negussie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213576625000119
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author Addisu Andargie
Absalat Serawit Negussie
author_facet Addisu Andargie
Absalat Serawit Negussie
author_sort Addisu Andargie
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Accessory spleens are masses of splenic tissue commonly located near the splenic hilum and found in 10 %–30 % of the population. Accessory spleens can be either solitary or multiple. Due to their variable location, complications of accessory spleens can mimic other acute abdominal conditions. Case presentation: A 4-year-old girl presented with classical signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis of two days of duration. Physical examination showed an uncomfortable appearing girl with a slight tachycardia and tachypnea. She had discrete tenderness to palpation over the right iliac fossa. Complete blood count (CBC) and electrolyte levels were within normal limits. Abdominal ultrasound findings were not contributory. Because of the unavailability of other imaging studies and the persistence of her pain she was taken to the operating room with a presumed diagnosis of early acute appendicitis.The abdomen was entered through a transverse incision in the right lower quadrant. An encapsulated, rounded, 4 x 4 x 5-cm solid mass was identified on the mesenteric side of the terminal ileum. The mass had a 270-degree torsion around its pedicle. The appendix appeared normal. The pedicle of the solid mass was ligated, the mass was fully excised and was sent for a pathology analysis. The histopathological examination showed infarcted splenic tissue, consistent with torsion of an accessory spleen. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged home on the third postoperative day. Conclusion: Torsion of an accessory spleen should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children and adolescents, particularly in those with inconclusive imaging studies.
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spelling doaj-art-039bbcbb2b3b41d4b8ef8f8c10cff2a62025-08-20T01:47:28ZengElsevierJournal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports2213-57662025-03-0111410296610.1016/j.epsc.2025.102966Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case reportAddisu Andargie0Absalat Serawit Negussie1Department of Surgery, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Department of Public Health, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaIntroduction: Accessory spleens are masses of splenic tissue commonly located near the splenic hilum and found in 10 %–30 % of the population. Accessory spleens can be either solitary or multiple. Due to their variable location, complications of accessory spleens can mimic other acute abdominal conditions. Case presentation: A 4-year-old girl presented with classical signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis of two days of duration. Physical examination showed an uncomfortable appearing girl with a slight tachycardia and tachypnea. She had discrete tenderness to palpation over the right iliac fossa. Complete blood count (CBC) and electrolyte levels were within normal limits. Abdominal ultrasound findings were not contributory. Because of the unavailability of other imaging studies and the persistence of her pain she was taken to the operating room with a presumed diagnosis of early acute appendicitis.The abdomen was entered through a transverse incision in the right lower quadrant. An encapsulated, rounded, 4 x 4 x 5-cm solid mass was identified on the mesenteric side of the terminal ileum. The mass had a 270-degree torsion around its pedicle. The appendix appeared normal. The pedicle of the solid mass was ligated, the mass was fully excised and was sent for a pathology analysis. The histopathological examination showed infarcted splenic tissue, consistent with torsion of an accessory spleen. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged home on the third postoperative day. Conclusion: Torsion of an accessory spleen should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children and adolescents, particularly in those with inconclusive imaging studies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213576625000119TorsionAccessory spleenCase report
spellingShingle Addisu Andargie
Absalat Serawit Negussie
Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports
Torsion
Accessory spleen
Case report
title Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
title_full Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
title_fullStr Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
title_full_unstemmed Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
title_short Torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4-year-old female: A case report
title_sort torsion of accessory spleen mimicking acute appendicitis in a 4 year old female a case report
topic Torsion
Accessory spleen
Case report
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213576625000119
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AT absalatserawitnegussie torsionofaccessoryspleenmimickingacuteappendicitisina4yearoldfemaleacasereport