Splenomegaly

Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the human abdomen. It is one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism, some reduction in the number of circulating blood cells affecting granulocytes, erythrocytes or platelets in any combination; a compensatory proliferative response in the bone marrow; and the potential for correction of these abnormalities by splenectomy. Splenomegaly is usually associated with increased workload (such as in hemolytic anemias), which suggests that it is a response to hyperfunction. It is therefore not surprising that splenomegaly is associated with any disease process that involves abnormal red blood cells being destroyed in the spleen. Other common causes include congestion due to portal hypertension and infiltration by leukemias and lymphomas. Thus, the finding of an enlarged spleen; along with caput medusa; is an important sign of portal hypertension.



Definition
Splenomegaly is defined by Dr Abdul Ghaffar as spleen size >12 cm, as measured by ultrasound along its longer dimension. Poulain et al. classify splenomegaly as: Splenomegaly should not be confused with hypersplenism. The former is a statement about the size of the spleen, and the latter about the spleen's function: these may coexist, or they may not. clinically if a spleen is palpable means it is enlarged as it has to undergo enlargement by at least two folds for being palpable. However tip of the spleen may be palpable in a newborn baby upto 3 months of age.
 * Moderate splenomegaly, if the largest dimension is between 11–20 cm
 * Severe splenomegaly, if the largest dimension is greater than 20 cm

Symptoms and signs
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, chest pain, chest pain similar to pleuritic pain when stomach, bladder or bowels are full, back pain, early satiety due to splenic encroachment, or the symptoms of anemia due to accompanying cytopenia.

Signs of splenomegaly may include a palpable left upper quadrant abdominal mass or splenic rub. It can be detected on physical examination by using Castell's sign or Traube's space, but an ultrasound can be used to confirm diagnosis.

Causes
The most common causes of splenomegaly in developed countries are infectious mononucleosis, splenic infiltration with cancer cells from a hematological malignancy and portal hypertension (most commonly secondary to liver disease) Also by Bacterial infections, such as syphilis or an infection of the heart's inner lining (endocarditis).

The causes of massive splenomegaly (>1000 g) are much fewer and include:
 * thalassemia
 * visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar)
 * schistosomiasis
 * chronic myelogenous leukemia
 * chronic lymphocytic leukemia
 * lymphomas
 * hairy cell leukemia
 * myelofibrosis
 * polycythemia vera
 * Gauchers disease
 * Niemann–Pick disease
 * sarcoidosis
 * autoimmune hemolytic anemia
 * malaria

Treatment
If the splenomegaly underlies hypersplenism, a splenectomy is indicated and will correct the hypersplenism. However, the underlying cause of the hypersplenism will most likely remain, so a thorough diagnostic workup is still indicated, as leukemia, lymphoma, and other serious disorders can cause hypersplenism and splenomegaly. After splenectomy, however, patients have an increased risk for infectious diseases.

Patients undergoing splenectomy should be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Meningococcus. They should also receive annual influenza vaccinations. Long-term prophylactic antibiotics may be given in certain cases.