Splenomegaly (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]

Splenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. The 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. Many health conditions can affect the spleen. This includes diseases of the blood or lymph system, infections, cancer, or liver disease.

Symptoms of splenomegaly include:

• Hiccups
• Inability to eat a large meal
• Pain on the upper left side of the abdomen

• Infections
  • Bacterial infections ( subacute bacterial endocarditis)
  • Cat scratch disease
  • Infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus)
  • Other viral infections (Hepatitis)
  • Parasitic infections (Malaria, Kala Azar)

• Diseases involving the liver
  • Biliary atresia
  • Cirrhosis (alcoholic cirrhosis)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Portal hypertension
  • Portal vein obstruction
  • Sclerosing cholangitis

• Blood diseases
  • Hemoglobinopathies
  • Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
  • Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
  • Hereditary spherocytosis
  • Immune hemolytic anemia
  • Myelodysplastic syndrome
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Thalassemia

• Cancer
  • Hodgkin’s disease
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma

• Autoimmune causes
  • Felty syndrome (Rheumatoid Arthritis with splenomegaly and neutropenia)
  • Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Sickle cell splenic crisis

A physical exam will be done. This will include feeling your abdomen (belly area). The health care provider will tap (percuss) along the left upper part of your abdomen and feel (palpate) in that same area, especially just under the rib cage. Tests that may be done include:

• Abdominal x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan
• Blood tests such as a CBC and tests of your liver function

There are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, some people have pain in the left upper section of the belly area. You should seek medical help right away if it is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Splenomegaly

It is important to prevent injury that might cause the spleen to rupture. You should avoid contact sports.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you what else you need to do to take care of yourself and any medical condition.

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003276.htm

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