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Splenomegaly
Spleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size. Hepatosplenomegaly
is enlargement of both the liver and the spleen.
The spleen is an organ involved in the production and maintenance of red blood cells,
the production of certain circulating white blood cells, and is a part of the lymph system
and the immune system. It also has a phagocytic role and acts as a filter for circulating
microorganisms, old and deformed red cells, and other antigens.
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.
The liver is involved in a multitude of bodily functions, and is affected by a variety
of conditions, many of which result in hepatomegaly.
 Infection
a. Viral- EBV. CMV, Parvovirus 19, HIV
b. Bacterial- Typhoid fever, SBE, Septicemia, Cat Scratch, TB
c. Protozoal- Malaria
d. Fungal- Histoplasmosis, Coccidiodmycosis
Hematological Disorders
a. Haemolytic disorders- autoimmune, red cell membrane defects including spherocytosis, elliptocytosis. G6PD, pyruvate kinase deficiency
b. Hemoglobinopathies- Sickle cell syndromes, thalessemia syndromes
c. Extramedullary hematopoiesis- Thalassemia and osteopetrosis
Splenic infiltration
a. Gaucher's and Niemann-Pick
b. Leukemic infiltration,
c. Hodgkin's disease
Lupus, JRA, Sarcoidosis
Trauma
Splenic cysts, hemangiomas,
Disorders of Splenic blood flow -
a. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein
b. Hepatic cirrhosis
c. Portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis
Diagnosing splenomegaly involves a number of tests, including:
- Clinical history
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound or abdominal x-ray
- Computerised tomography (CT) scan
- Blood tests, to check for underlying disorders.
Depending on the cause |
Obesity
