Splenomegaly (also less commonly spelled spleenomegaly) is defined as an enlargement of the spleen. The spleen is located on the left side of the upper abdomen just behind the stomach. Like your heart, the spleen is normally about the size of your fist; however the spleen can get enlarged in certain situations where you might be fighting an infection.
Causes of Splenomegaly
Though the spleen plays an important role in maintaining disease resistance of the body, it sometimes becomes the target of certain infections invading other parts of the body. Parasitic, viral and bacterial infections can attack anywhere in the body and inadvertently cause spleen enlargement. In tropical countries, Malaria is an illness that affects the body and can also cause splenomegaly. Other common diseases and conditions which can affect spleen enlargement include leukemia, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, hepatitis, and a host of metabolic disorders.
The enlargement of the spleen can occur to anyone of any age. It is fairly common for small children to have an enlarged spleen, because their immune system may not be as strong as a grown person’s. People living in poor underdeveloped countries are likely to be the most at risk for developing splenomegaly.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Splenomegaly
The spleen is that part of the body which breaks down the old red blood cells (RBC) and restructures the basic ingredients to produce RBC, platelets, lymphocytes, and plasma. The spleen serves to increase the formation of blood and the parts of blood to combat disease. Continual physical exertion, like that of an athlete, could also trigger the spleen to go into overdrive. When the spleen becomes enlarged, it can lower the body’s resistance to disease. Other complications of splenomegaly are anemia and chronic infections.
The symptoms of splenomegaly include:
Pain in the upper left abdomen
Pain radiating up to the left shoulder
General feeling of a full stomach (from the spleen pressing on the stomach)
Fatigue
Restlessness
No symptoms at all
You may have an enlarged spleen and not even know it; many cases of splenomegaly go undetected because sometimes there are no tell-tale symptoms to suggest anything is wrong. A doctor may discover you have an enlarged spleen when he/she does a routine physical exam or if you are being examined or tested for some other problem. A computed tomography (CT) scan, sonogram or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of splenomegaly. Other tests that may be done are a bone marrow aspiration and a liver function test; these tests may be done if the doctor is trying to find an underlying disease or condition causing the symptom of splenomegaly.
Treatment of Splenomegaly
Though it would be easy to surgically remove the spleen that is either enlarged or ruptured due to trauma or injury, medical research believes there may be more special functions left to be uncovered about the spleen. Modern research indicates that when a splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen) is performed the body will take over the functions of the spleen. Researchers are still studying the spleen to discover the intermediary functions between the body, the brain and the immune system. In most cases, surgery will not be necessary to treat splenomegaly, because the spleen will return to normal size once the infection or underlying cause is dealt with.
Conclusion
Splenomegaly, which isn’t caused by an injury of some kind, is an indication of some underlying infection, disease or condition. Most often it subsides and returns to normal size, when the underlying infection is discovered and treated. However, as the condition is asymptomatic, you may or may not feel tenderness in the area. An enlarged spleen is prone to rupture and injury which results in severe abdominal bleeding and could be a threat to life.
When driving it is important to protect the spleen; the spleen is most often ruptured in automobile accidents. A splenectomy would likely be necessary to save the life of someone with a ruptured spleen. Some people wear a spleen guard while driving or while engaging in sports to protect the spleen from the sudden impact in a traffic accident. You may find more information about spleen guards here.
Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/enlarged_spleen_splenomegaly/article.htm
http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003276.htm
