Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size.
Alternative NamesSpleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen
ConsiderationsThe spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.
Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infections, malignancies, and liver disease.
Symptoms of splenomegaly include:
Appropriate limitation of activity, including avoiding contact sports, will help prevent trauma that might cause the spleen to rupture.
Care will be required for the specific condition causing the splenomegaly. Follow the instructions given by your health care provider regarding appropriate care.
Call your health care provider ifAlthough there are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen, you may experience pain in the left upper section of your abdomen. You should seek attention from your doctor right away if it is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe physician will ask a series of questions to determine if you have symptoms either from the enlarged spleen or the underlying cause of the large spleen, such as fever or signs of an infectious disease.
The doctor will also perform a thorough exam of your abdomen. To check for an enlarged spleen, he or she will tap (percuss) along the left upper portion of your abdomen and feel (palpate) in that same area, especially just under the rib cage.
Diagnostic tests may be required, including:
Armitage J. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 174.
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size.
Alternative NamesSpleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen
ConsiderationsThe spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.
Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infections, malignancies, and liver disease.
Symptoms of splenomegaly include:
Appropriate limitation of activity, including avoiding contact sports, will help prevent trauma that might cause the spleen to rupture.
Care will be required for the specific condition causing the splenomegaly. Follow the instructions given by your health care provider regarding appropriate care.
Call your health care provider ifAlthough there are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen, you may experience pain in the left upper section of your abdomen. You should seek attention from your doctor right away if it is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe physician will ask a series of questions to determine if you have symptoms either from the enlarged spleen or the underlying cause of the large spleen, such as fever or signs of an infectious disease.
The doctor will also perform a thorough exam of your abdomen. To check for an enlarged spleen, he or she will tap (percuss) along the left upper portion of your abdomen and feel (palpate) in that same area, especially just under the rib cage.
Diagnostic tests may be required, including:
Armitage J. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 174.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/09/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
borderline splenomegaly what does this mean? why does the spleen enlarge ?
It is false; splenomegaly is enlargement of the spleen.
the splenomegaly is the enlargement of spleen; the spleen is a organ in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen( below the diaphragm and to the side of the stomach)
splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) could cause the spleen to rupture. The principal of my elementary school had a pet Saint Bernard that died from a ruptured spleen.
Splenomegaly is the enlargement of the spleen and is generally caused by infectious diseases such as mononucleosis or other diseases such as cancer or a bacterial infection.
Cirrhosis and splenomegaly due to abscess or tumor
Yes, it can. The viruses affects the production of platelets and the spleen is important in recycling the blood.
micronodular cirrhosis of the liver leading to portal venous hypertension and splenomegaly
I just did a CT scan because i was having cramping in my lower abdomen and i wasnt feeling to well. The results said everything was fine except that i had mild splenomegaly and it was 1.6cm more prominent than it should be. Is there any specific reasoning for this? Should i change something I'm doing incorrectly? Daniel Horowitz
The more common symptoms include variable degrees of jaundice (a yellowish pigment of the skin), slightly to moderately enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), and increased incidence of gallstones.
Radiation therapy is used to treat splenomegaly, spleen pain, bone pain, tumors in certain places such as next to the spinal cord, and fluid accumulation inside the abdomen
i think portal hypertension is a cause of spleenomegaly because in portal hypertension portal blood flow toward the spleen that may lead to over burden over the spleen