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Splenomegaly

Enlarged spleen

Splenomegaly

Definition:

Splenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen.

Alternative Names:

Spleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen; Spleen swelling

Considerations:

The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system . It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.

Many health conditions can affect the spleen. This includes:

Diseases of the blood or lymph system
Infections
Cancer
Liver disease

Symptoms of splenomegaly include:

Hiccups
Inability to eat a large meal
Pain on the upper left side of the abdomen

Common Causes:

Infections
- Bacterial infections
- Cat scratch disease
- Infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus )
- Other viral infections
- Parasitic infections
Diseases involving the liver
- Biliary atresia
- Cirrhosis (alcoholic cirrhosis)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Portal hypertension
- Portal vein obstruction
- Sclerosing cholangitis
Blood diseases
- Hemoglobinopathies
- Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
- Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Immune hemolytic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Polycythemia vera
- Thalassemia
Cancer
Hodgkin's disease
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Other causes
Felty syndrome
Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus )
Sarcoidosis
Sickle cell splenic crisis

Home Care:

It is important to prevent injury that might cause the spleen to rupture. You should avoid contact sports.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you what else you need to do to take care of yourself and any medical condition.

Call your health care provider if:

There are usually no symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, some people have pain in the left upper section of the belly area. You should medical help right away if it is severe or gets worse when you take a deep breath.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.

A physical exam will be done. This will include feeling your abdomen (belly area). The health care provider will tap (percuss) along the left upper part of your abdomen and feel (palpate) in that same area, especially just under the rib cage.

Tests that may be done include:

Abdominal x-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan
Blood tests such as a CBC and tests of your liver function

This list is not all-inclusive.

References: Armitage JO. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 171.

Review Date: 2/19/2012
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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