Splenomegaly

<p>Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the <a href="/facts/Spleen/6NKn9d8s">spleen</a>. The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the <a href="/facts/Human_abdomen/HcTzDFL0">human abdomen</a>. Splenomegaly is one of the four cardinal signs of <i>hypersplenism</i> which include: some reduction in number of circulating blood cells affecting <a href="/facts/Granulocytes/zsE3ldLb">granulocytes</a>, <a href="/facts/Erythrocytes/Kggpq8Jh">erythrocytes</a> or <a href="/facts/Platelets/I0xrDVGa">platelets</a> in any combination; a compensatory proliferative response in the bone marrow; and the potential for correction of these abnormalities by <a href="/facts/Splenectomy/oFGhehpQ">splenectomy</a>. Splenomegaly is usually associated with increased workload (such as in <a href="/facts/Hemolytic_anemia/qNz6wDct">hemolytic anemias</a>), which suggests that it is a response to hyperfunction. It is therefore not surprising that splenomegaly is associated with any <a href="/facts/Disease/55eeQlGL">disease</a> process that involves abnormal <a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">red blood cells</a> being destroyed in the spleen. Other common causes include congestion due to <a href="/facts/Portal_hypertension/REmqnpER">portal hypertension</a> and infiltration by <a href="/facts/Leukemias/WpEfW0Qh">leukemias</a> and <a href="/facts/Lymphomas/418wcMEl">lymphomas</a>. Thus, the finding of an enlarged spleen, along with <a href="/facts/Caput_medusae/ngeA0LHH">caput medusae</a>, is an important sign of portal hypertension.
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Splenomegaly open-in-new

Splenomegaly