Splenomegaly

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Encyclopedia -> Symptoms -> S -> Splenomegaly

Splenomegaly

Alternate Names: Spleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen

Considerations: The spleen is an organ involved in the production and maintenance of red blood cells, the production of certain circulating white blood cells, as a part of the lymph system, and as a part of the immune system.

Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.

Common Causes:

infectious mononucleosis
Banti’s syndrome
hemolytic anemias
- thalassemia
- hemoglobinopathies
- hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
- idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- immune hemolytic anemia
sarcoidosis - bacterial infections
sclerosing cholangitis
viral infections
parasitic infections
cirrhosis (portal vein obstruction, portal hypertension
leukemia
Hodgkin’s disease
lymphoma
Wilson’s disease
cystic fibrosis
biliary atresia
sickle cell splenic crisis
cat scratch disease
infectious mononucleosis (CMV)

Home Care: Rupture of the enlarged spleen is particularly possible in infectious mononucleosis and several other causes of splenomegaly. 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 If: Splenomegaly is usually detected during a physical examination by a health care provider.

What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting splenomegaly in detail may include:

When was the spleen enlargement first noted?
Were you aware of a problem or was it discovered by your health care provider during examination for something else?
What other symptoms were also present?

Splenomegaly is noted by the health care provider during the physical examination. A detailed examination of the abdomen will probably be performed.

Diagnostic tests may be required, including:

abdominal film
blood tests such as a CBC
tests for suspected causes

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider as the cause of the splenomegaly, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.

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