Treatment
- Watchful waiting. If you have an enlarged spleen but don't have symptoms and the cause can't be found, your doctor might...
- Spleen removal surgery. If an enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the cause can't be identified or treated,...
- Reducing infection risk after surgery. A series of vaccinations before and after the splenectomy. These include the...
What is the treatment for a ruptured spleen?
Surgery for a ruptured spleen can include: Repairing the spleen. Removing the spleen (splenectomy). Removing part of the spleen.
What is a splenule in spleen?
Accessory spleen: A splenule is a small accessory spleen. This is a normal variant and is nothing to worry about. Accessory spleen: A splenule is a small collection of splenic tissue found apart from the main body of the spleen. This is a common finding occurring in 10% of people. ...
How are accessory spleens (splenunculi) identified and removed?
Thus, accessory spleens should be identified preoperatively to ensure their removal. Splenunculi are typically a few centimeters in diameter when identified, well-circumscribed rounded or ovoid nodules.
What are splenunculi?
Splenunculi (also known as supernumerary spleens, accessory spleens, or splenules ) are small nodules of spleen that are separate from the rest of the organ. They are common, seen in up to 16% of CTs of the abdomen and up to 30% of autopsies 2 .
Can a Splenule be removed?
Open splenectomy requires a larger surgical cut than the laparoscopic method. The surgeon makes an incision across the middle or left side of your abdomen underneath the rib cage. After locating the spleen, the surgeon disconnects it from the pancreas and the body's blood supply, and then removes it.
What causes a Splenule?
Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen. An enlarged spleen is also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee). An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. It's often discovered during a routine physical exam.
What is the best treatment for enlarged spleen?
In most cases, treatment of the underlying cause of the enlarged spleen can prevent removal of the spleen. In some cases, the spleen will need to be removed surgically (splenectomy). If surgery is needed, a surgeon is likely to remove the spleen using laparoscopy rather than open surgery.
Can a Splenule cause pain?
A damaged or ruptured spleen Signs of a ruptured spleen are: pain behind your left ribs and tenderness when you touch this area. dizziness and a rapid heart rate (a sign of low blood pressure caused by blood loss)
Is Splenule normal?
Splenules, or accessory spleens, are congenital foci of normal splenic tissue that are separate from the main body of the spleen. They are not uncommon, and are often incidentally found on CT scans and other abdominal imaging studies.
What does Splenule mean in medical terms?
An accessory spleen, also called a supernumerary spleen, a splenule, or a splenunculus, is a benign and asymptomatic condition in which splenic tissue is found outside the normal spleen. Accessory spleens are a relatively common phenomenon with an estimated 10% to 30% of the population having one.
What kind of doctor treats spleen problems?
For example, hematologists (doctors who specialize in treating blood disorders), oncologists (cancer specialists), and gastroenterologists (liver and digestive tract specialists) all commonly take care of patients who may have enlarged spleen as a response to another condition.
Can enlarged spleen be cured?
If an enlarged spleen causes serious complications or the cause can't be identified or treated, surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) might be an option. In chronic or critical cases, surgery might offer the best hope for recovery.
What antibiotics treat enlarged spleen?
Enlarged Spleen: TreatmentTaking a course of penicillin or other antibiotics.Calling your doctor as soon as you come down with a fever, because fevers are often the first sign of an infection.Receiving certain vaccinations (Pneumovax 23 and Hib) before and after the procedure.More items...•
What is a pancreatic Splenule?
Splenules are congenital foci of healthy splenic tissue that are separate from the main body but are structurally identical to the spleen, derived from mesenchymal buds on the left side of the mesogastrium and commonly seen in or near the tail of the pancreas.
What foods irritate the spleen?
Enlarged Spleen Foods to AvoidSugary Foods. If you consume food items that are high in sugar, then these can influence your general immune system negatively and they are also harmful to your spleen. ... Alcohol. ... Caffeine. ... Diet Sodas. ... Processed Oils. ... Fast Foods. ... Cold Foods. ... Cooked Vegetables.More items...•
How do you get rid of spleen pain?
If the infection that causes your enlarged spleen is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may help. If a virus caused your infection, as is the case with mononucleosis, antibiotics would be of no help. In serious cases, your doctor might suggest that you have your spleen removed, which is called a splenectomy.
What is the procedure to remove a ruptured spleen?
Your surgeon might be able to use stitches or other techniques to repair the rupture. Removing the spleen (splenectomy). If it's necessary to remove your spleen, you'll be at increased risk of serious infections, such as sepsis.
How to diagnose a ruptured spleen?
Tests and procedures used to diagnose a ruptured spleen include: Physical exam. Your doctor will press on your abdomen to determine the size of your spleen and whether it's tender. Blood tests. Blood tests will evaluate factors such as platelet count and how well your blood clots. Checking for blood in your abdominal cavity.
Can you remove only part of your spleen?
Removing part of the spleen. It might be possible to remove only part of your spleen, depending on the rupture. Partial splenectomy reduces the risk of infection that results from removing the entire spleen. Spleen surgery is generally safe, but any surgery has risks, such as bleeding, blood clots, infection and pneumonia.
Can a spleen injury heal without surgery?
Many small or moderate-sized injuries to the spleen can heal without surgery . You're likely to stay in the hospital while doctors observe your condition and provide nonsurgical care, such as blood transfusions, if necessary.
How to prevent a ruptured spleen?
Avoid contact sports — such as soccer, football and hockey — and limit other activities as recommended by your doctor. Modifying your activities can reduce the risk of a ruptured spleen. It's also important to wear a seat belt.
What to do after spleen removal?
After spleen removal, certain steps can help reduce your risk of infection, including: 1 A series of vaccinations both before and after the splenectomy. These include the pneumococcal (Pneumovax 23), meningococcal and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines, which protect against pneumonia, meningitis and infections of the blood, bones and joints. You'll also need the pneumococcal vaccine every five years after surgery. 2 Taking penicillin or other antibiotics after your operation and anytime you or your doctor suspects the possibility of an infection. 3 Calling your doctor at the first sign of a fever, because this may indicate an infection. 4 Avoiding travel to parts of the world where certain diseases, such as malaria, are common.
Why is a needle biopsy of the spleen rare?
A needle biopsy of the spleen is very rare because of the risk of bleeding. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your spleen when there's no identifiable cause for the enlargement. After surgical removal, the spleen is examined under a microscope to check for possible lymphoma of the spleen.
How to tell if spleen is enlarged?
An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper abdomen. However, in some people — especially those who are slender — a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam.
Why do doctors remove the spleen?
Your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your spleen (splenectomy) for diagnostic purposes when there's no identifiable cause for the enlargement. More often, the spleen is removed as treatment. After surgery to remove it, the spleen is examined under a microscope to check for possible lymphoma of the spleen.
What tests can be done to check for enlarged spleen?
Sometimes you may need more testing to find the cause of an enlarged spleen, including liver function tests and a bone marrow exam. These tests can provide more-detailed information about your blood cells than can blood drawn from a vein.
Can you eat before a spleen MRI?
Imaging tests aren't always needed to diagnose an enlarged spleen. But if your doctor recommends imaging, you generally don't need any special preparation for an ultrasound or MRI. If you're having a CT scan, however, you may need to refrain from eating before the test.
What is the spleen?
spleen. a large glandlike but ductless organ in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, lateral to the cardiac end of the stomach. Called also lien. adj., adj splen´ic. It is the largest collection of reticuloendothelial cells in the body and is composed of spongelike tissue of two types: red pulp, ...
What is the function of the spleen?
The spleen also acts to help keep the blood free of unwanted substances, including wastes and infecting organisms. The blood is delivered to it by the splenic artery, and passes through smaller branch arteries into a network of channels lined with leukocytes known as phagocytes (see reticuloendothelial system ).
What happens to the spleen during stress?
In times of exertion, emotional stress, pregnancy, severe bleeding, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other occasions when the oxygen content of the blood must be increased, the spleen contracts rhythmically to release its store of erythrocytes into the bloodstream.
Where is the spleen accessorius located?
splen accessorius Any of a number of small aggregates or masses of encapsulated splenic tissue located adjacent to the spleen or along the gastrosplenic ligament. See Spleen.
What is accessory spleen?
accessory spleen a small mass of tissue elsewhere in the body, histologically and functionally identical with that composing the normal spleen. Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition.
How much does the spleen weigh?
In a normal adult the spleen is about 12.5 cm long and weighs about 140 to 210 g. After gastric digestion and in the presence of disease the spleen enlarges. During fetal life the spleen and liver produce erythrocytes, but after birth that function is taken over by the bone marrow.
When is a spleen resection considered?
They are resected together with the spleen when performing a total splenectomy for conditions such as blood dyscrasias and hemoglobinopathy. Resection is also considered when infarction, torsion or ruptured accessory spleen due to vascular pedicle complications 8.
What causes a relapse of a spleen?
In patients who undergo splenectomy for autoimmune disorders (most commonly idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune hemolytic anemia ), the growth of unrecognized accessory spleens is a classic cause of late relapse. Thus, accessory spleens should be identified preoperatively to ensure their removal.
What is a wandering spleen?
splenectomy), and do not have splenic arterial supply. wandering spleen : spleen located in an unusual position within the abdominal cavity.
What are the conditions that can cause abnormal location of splenic tissue?
Other conditions with abnormal location or morphology of splenic tissue include: lobulations or clefts: represent incomplete but partial fusion and are very common 2. polysplenia : rarely multiple splenules are seen without a 'parent' spleen; this is referred to as polysplenia and is seen associated with situs abnormalities.
What is the name of the nodule in the spleen?
Splenunculus. Splenunculi, also known as supernumerary spleens, accessory spleens, or splenules, are small nodules of spleen that are separate from the rest of the organ.
Where are spleen nodules located?
Splenunculi are typically a few centimeters in diameter when identified, well-circumscribed rounded or ovoid nodules. Although most are located near the spleen, they have been identified elsewhere in the abdominal cavity including 2,3: splenic hilum (most common) 9. gastrosplenic ligament.
Is the accessory spleen intraperitoneal or acquired?
Each component is extraperitoneal. They should not be confused with splenosis (see below) which is acquired and intraperitoneal.
What is the procedure to remove the spleen?
An open surgery means your surgeon will make a larger incision in the middle of your belly to remove your spleen. Typically, this type of procedure requires a longer recovery. Other treatments might be necessary depending on the type of cancer you have. These may include: chemotherapy.
What to do if your doctor finds cancer in your spleen?
If your doctor finds cancer in your spleen, you might need a splenectomy as part of your treatment. There are two types:
What is the function of the spleen?
It’s part of your lymphatic system. Your spleen’s job is to: filter out damaged blood cells. prevent infection by making white blood cells, known as lymphocytes. help your blood clot by storing red blood cells and platelets. Spleen cancer can be either primary or secondary.
How do you know if you have cancer on your spleen?
bleed easily. have anemia (low red blood cells) experience fatigue. Other symptoms of cancer that affect the spleen may include: large lymph nodes. fever. sweating or chills.
What blood cancers can affect the spleen?
Another blood cancer, leukemia, can affect your spleen. Sometimes, leukemia cells gather and build up in this organ.
Why do doctors remove lymph nodes?
Your doctor might also suggest that you have a lymph node removed to see if it contains cancer.
Can lymphoma spread to the spleen?
Cancer in the spleen is usually caused by lymphomas and leukemias. Other cancers, such as breast cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer, can spread to the spleen. Trusted Source. . You might be more likely to develop lymphoma if you: are a man. are older in age. have a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV.
