Splenomegaly is a condition, when spleen becomes enlarge this condition is called SPLENOMEGALY.
Diseases which cause splenomegaly:
Malaria
Typhoid
Tuberculosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Liver diseases
Pernicious anemia etc
Hodgkin’s disease etc.
Spleen is an largest Lymphoid organ in our body. It is situated in left hypochondriac region behind the stomach and just below the diaphragm.
Function of spleen:
• Formation and destruction of blood cells
• Blood reservoir
• Fight against infection or role in defense of body.
CAUSES
• Infectious mononucleosis (Viral)
•Infectious Diseases such as
Malaria
Typhoid
Tuberculosis
Syphilis
• Inflammatory diseases such as
Rheumatoid arthritis
• Liver diseases
Cirrhosis
Portal hypertension
Hepatitis
• Hematological disorders like
Spherocytosis
• Pernicious anemia
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Cysts in spleen
• Tumor in spleen
• Viral (Mononucleosis) , bacterial ( Syphilis) , or parasitic (Malaria)infection
• Congestive heart failure
• Venous thrombosis
• Immune thrombicytopenic purpuea
• Thalassemia
• HIV
Effects of Splenomegaly:
• Hemolysis resulting in anemia
• Leukopenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Increase in plasma Volume.
SYMPTOMS
• Pain in upper left side of abdomen
• Unable to eat heavy meal
• Feeling heaviness and fullness after eating a small amount
• Anemia
• Fever
• weakness
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
INVESTIGATION
• Enlarged spleen felt by doctor during physical examination
• Ultra Sonography (USG) of abdomen
• Computed Tomography ( CT) scans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Blood tests
• Liver function test ( LFT)
• Bone marrow biopsy
• Needle biopsy
• If you sees any symptoms of enlarge spleen immediately consult with doctor
• Treatment depend on cause of infection, if infection cause bacteria then treatment will include antibiotics, if cause virus then treatment will include antiviral medicine etc
• If condition become serious and complicated then surgery will done. Remove the spleen is called splenectomy.
