Splenomegaly (patient information)
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Splenomegaly |
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Splenomegaly On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Splenomegaly is a larger-than-normal spleen. 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.
What are the symptoms of Splenomegaly?
Symptoms of splenomegaly include:
- Hiccups
- Inability to eat a large meal
- Pain on the upper left side of the abdomen
What causes Splenomegaly?
- 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
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Splenomegaly?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Splenomegaly
Prevention of Splenomegaly
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Sources
References