Spleen Disorders
Videos
Overview
Spleen disorders include a range of conditions such as splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), hypersplenism, splenic cysts, abscesses, infarcts, and traumatic injuries. The spleen plays an important role in filtering blood and supporting the immune system. When diseased or enlarged, it can cause abdominal pain, early satiety, anemia, or low blood counts. Severe infections or trauma may require urgent evaluation or surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy).
Cause
Causes include infections, liver disease, blood disorders, autoimmune conditions, trauma, cysts, tumors, and vascular issues. Rapid enlargement may occur with mononucleosis or hematologic disease.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include liver disease, blood cancers, autoimmune disorders, abdominal trauma, infections, and certain medications. Athletes in contact sports are at higher risk for splenic injury.
How Spleen Disorders Affect the Body
An enlarged or overactive spleen may trap and destroy blood cells, leading to anemia, low platelets, or low white blood cell counts. Cysts or abscesses can cause pain and infection. Trauma can cause life‑threatening bleeding.
Complications
Complications include rupture, internal bleeding, infection, abscess formation, severe anemia, and immune dysfunction. Ruptured spleen is a surgical emergency.
Symptoms & sings
Symptoms include left‑upper‑quadrant abdominal pain, fullness after small meals, fatigue, anemia, easy bruising, fever, or pain that radiates to the left shoulder (Kehr’s sign).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis includes physical exam, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and evaluation for underlying infections or hematologic disorders.
Differential Diagnosis
Includes gastric disorders, pancreatitis, left kidney pathology, rib fractures, and abdominal masses.
Lifestyle Modifications
Patients should avoid contact sports, heavy lifting, and activities that increase risk of abdominal trauma. Managing underlying conditions such as liver disease or infections is essential.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause and may include antibiotics, drainage of abscesses, treatment of underlying blood disorders, or minimally invasive splenectomy. Traumatic injuries may require observation or emergency surgery.
When to See a Doctor
Seek evaluation if you experience persistent left‑upper‑quadrant pain, unexplained fatigue, anemia, fever, or symptoms after abdominal trauma.
When to Seek Treatment
Treatment is recommended when symptoms worsen, when blood counts drop, or when imaging shows cysts, abscesses, infarcts, or risk of rupture.
Long-Term Outlook
Patients without a spleen require vaccinations and infection precautions. Long‑term outcomes are excellent with proper follow‑up and management of underlying conditions.
Prognosis
Most spleen disorders improve with proper treatment. Patients who undergo splenectomy typically recover well but require long‑term infection prevention.
Why Choose Dr. de la Cruz‑Muñoz
Dr. Nestor de la Cruz‑Muñoz offers advanced minimally invasive and robotic splenectomy, providing safe, effective treatment for complex spleen disorders with faster recovery and excellent outcomes.
