[Splenic torsion as cause of acute abdomen in children].

A six-year-old boy was admitted with symptoms consistent with acute appendicitis. Immediately before placement of the first trocar, a large abdominal mass was observed which on imaging was identified as a torsioned spleen. Due to suboptimal reperfusion and risk of reperfusion-mediated morbidity a splenectomy was performed. The recovery was uneventful. The child had a twin brother who on a routine ultrasound examination was found to have a normally positioned spleen. Challenges in diagnosis and treatment of children with splenic torsion is discussed.