Ultrasound demonstration of wandering spleen.

The correct preoperative diagnosis of a wandering spleen is infrequently made either clinically or with conventional radiologic studies. Since ultrasound can readily identify the spleen, it may assist in making this diagnosis. We describe three patients to illustrate the advantages and usefulness of ultrasound. In one postmastectomy patient, the suspected abdominal metastasis was shown to be a displaced spleen, thus obviating the necessity for an exploratory laparotomy. In the other two patients, ultrasound diagnosis was helpful in clinical treatment by localizing the wandering spleen. Ultrasound evaluation is particularly suited for patients with obscure abdominal masses because it is safe, simple, and fast.