The spleen is an important part of the body called the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system has functions such as cleaning cellular wastes, maintaining fluid balance, and producing and activating immune system cells that fight against diseases. This system also plays an important role in the creation of the inflammatory response as a part of the healing process.
What is Spleen Enlargement?
The spleen, located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen; It settles inside the rib cage, under the diaphragm, and in the upper back of the stomach. This fist-shaped organ weighs about 70-200 grams and is 12 centimeters long in healthy individuals. Measurements above these values may indicate spleen enlargement, which is expressed as splenomegaly. As with other parts of the body, the spleen can develop over time. This development process usually continues until adulthood, and after this period, the spleen gradually decreases in size.
One of the main functions of the spleen in the human body is to filter the blood. The spleen detects old, damaged or abnormal cells in the bloodstream and removes them. This organ, which also functions as a warehouse for these cells, can store erythrocytes, which are red blood cells, platelets responsible for blood clotting, and some of the white blood cells that fight against infections.
In addition to its hematological features, spleen; If it detects bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms that have the potential to cause disease in the bloodstream, it can produce white blood cells (white blood cells) called lymphocytes in order to eliminate this situation.
The concept of splenomegaly is generally 400-500 grams in weight and It is used for the detected spleen 12-20 centimeters long. This condition, which usually does not cause any obvious complaints, is detected during routine physical examination. While a normal sized spleen is not palpable during physical examination, it is an organ that can be easily felt if enlarged. Spleen size outside of physical examination Radiological examinations such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be used in the diagnosis.
What are the Symptoms of Spleen Enlargement?
Spleen enlargement is a condition that can occur in some people without causing any symptoms and is noticed during routine physical examination practices in health institutions. In some people, the enlargement of this organ can cause various symptoms due to pressure on surrounding tissues or changes in blood filtering function.
A vague feeling of abdominal discomfort is the primary physical symptom associated with an enlarged spleen. People with this condition may describe left upper abdominal pain and left shoulder pain in addition to this symptom. Symptoms such as bloating, enlargement, malnutrition and early satiety may also be included in the symptom table. The reason behind the early satiety and feeling of fullness is due to the pressure of the enlarged spleen on the stomach.
In the presence of symptoms such as extreme weakness, weight loss and night sweats, care should be taken as the underlying cause of the enlargement of the spleen may be a malignant disease. In spleen enlargement due to an acute (new) onset infectious disease, symptoms such as fever, chills, and general weakness may accompany spleen enlargement.
The spleen, which becomes too large over time, may lose control of its filtering function and cause the breakdown of a large number of erythrocyte cells. A decrease in the number of these cells below a sufficient level may result in a health problem called anemia. The overgrown spleen also experiences problems with immune cell production, and therefore these people may be predisposed to infectious diseases.
Spleen enlargement symptoms can be summarized as follows:
- Pain or feeling of fullness on the left side of the abdomen that may spread to the left shoulder area
- Feeling of satiety before feeding or after consuming a very small amount of food
- Anemia
- Weakness
- Frequent illness
- Predisposition to bleeding
Spleen Why Does It Grow?
The course of many different health conditions and ailments is in order� Enlargement of the spleen may occur. Infectious diseases such as mononucleosis are among the most common causes of spleen enlargement. Apart from infectious diseases, liver diseases such as cirrhosis or cystic fibrosis can also cause spleen enlargement.
Another possible cause for enlarged spleen is a rheumatic disease that occurs at a young age, called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This condition causes a general inflammation in the lymphatic system, including the spleen, and may cause the spleen to increase in size.
There are many different conditions that can be evaluated among the causes of spleen enlargement:
- Malaria
- Hodgkin's disease
- Leukemia
- Heart failure
- Cirrhosis
- Tumoral formations that occur directly on the spleen or in other organs and spread from there to the spleen
- Viral, bacterial or parasitic infectious diseases
- Lupus or rheumatoid Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis
- Sickle cell anemia
How is the Diagnosis of Spleen Enlargement?
Physicians who suspect spleen enlargement during physical examination can reveal this condition by applying various biochemical and radiological examinations. The combination of these tests is important both for the diagnosis of splenomegaly and for revealing the underlying cause. Examination of the parameters related to the complete blood count and the structural features of these cells may be useful in predicting the effect of spleen enlargement on cells in the bloodstream.
In addition to this examination, liver function test, lipase, rheumatological markers or specific tests, if any, for the suspected disease are also evaluated among the tests that can be used in the diagnosis of spleen enlargement.
Basic radiology in the evaluation of spleen sizes The first examination is ultrasonography. Physicians can diagnose splenomegaly by evaluating the anterior-posterior diameter, width and length of the spleen during USG. Detection of changes, traumatic injury or other abnormalities can also be achieved.
How Is Spleen Enlargement Treated?
The aim of the treatment of spleen enlargement is to eliminate the underlying disease and to protect the person against conditions related to the enlargement of the spleen. For any reason, people with an enlarged spleen have a tendency to rupture in this organ, and it is important for people to avoid possible trauma to the abdomen. It can be followed up in 12-month periods. Surgical removal of the spleen can be performed in case of spleen enlargement that has caused complications or has serious symptoms. Although people can continue their normal lives without this organ after this operation, which is called splenectomy, it is very important to be vaccinated for these ailments before and after the operation in terms of a predisposition to encapsulated bacterial infections.
Curious about spleen enlargement. You can ask your questions to the expert team of Grup Florence Nightingale Hospitals and ask for suggestions regarding your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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