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About Spleen Problems & Disorders

The spleen is a small organ the size of your fist that lies behind your rib cage on the left side composed of white and red pulp tissues. It plays an important role in immune functions. The spleen removes abnormal cells and microorganisms from the blood. There are basically two types of spleen disorders. Splenomegaly is the enlargement of the spleen. A ruptured spleen is a serious medical disorder that requires emergency care. Blood pours out of a ruptured spleen into the abdomen, and the patient bleeds to death without treatment.

  1. Enlarged Spleen Cause

    • An enlarged spleen is usually caused by other medical conditions such as viral infections, blood cancers, lymphomas, leukemia, hemolytic anemia and liver disease. Lipid storage disease, Gaucher's disease and Niemann-Pick disease impair spleen function. The spleen swells up with materials that it cannot eliminate from the body.

    Ruptured Spleen Cause

    • Some type of trauma to the abdomen causes a ruptured spleen. Athletics and car accidents are the two most common causes of this trauma. The spleen's covering and tissues are damaged.

    Prevention

    • Prevention of splenomegaly requires preventing or curing the underlying medical condition. A ruptured spleen can be prevented by driving safely or by wearing protective gear while participating in sports.

    Diagnosis

    • Enlarged spleens can be detected during a physical exam. Imaging like ultrasounds, CT scans or nuclear scans can confirm the existence of the enlarged spleen. A blood test will reveal low levels of blood cells and platelets. A ruptured spleen is diagnosed with a CT scan that looks for blood in the abdominal cavity.

    Treatments

    • Attempts can be made to save a damaged spleen, but the most common treatment is to surgically remove it in a splenectomy. People can live without a spleen, but there are complications. Spleen removal impairs the body's ability to fight infections and diminishes the removal of debris from the blood. This increases the risk of contracting infections. Regular vaccines are needed to boost the immune system when there is no spleen.

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