Splenomegaly Questions & Answers

Updated: Jun 08, 2022
  • Author: Robert A Franklin, MD; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is splenomegaly?

What are the functions of the spleen?

What is the primary etiologies of splenomegaly?

What are less common etiologies of splenomegaly?

What causes inflammatory splenomegaly?

What causes hyperplastic splenomegaly?

What causes congestive splenomegaly?

What causes infiltrative splenomegaly?

What causes infectious splenomegaly?

What is acute splenic sequestration crisis (ASSC)?

What is the prevalence of splenomegaly?

Which patient groups are at highest risk for splenomegaly?

What is the prognosis of splenomegaly?

What are the morbidity and mortality of splenomegaly?

What should be included in patient education of splenomegaly?

Presentation

What are the signs and symptoms of splenomegaly?

What should be included in the physical exam for splenomegaly?

Which physical findings are characteristic of extreme splenomegaly?

Which physical findings may suggest the etiology of splenomegaly?

DDX

How is a finding of fever used in the diagnosis of splenomegaly etiology?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of massive splenomegaly?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of mild to moderate splenomegaly?

How is the etiology of splenomegaly diagnosed?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of splenomegaly if the sedimentation rate is high?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of splenomegaly if the sedimentation rate is low?

How is a finding of anemia used in the diagnosis of splenomegaly etiology?

What is the significance of an abnormal coagulation profile in the diagnosis of splenomegaly etiology?

What are the differential diagnoses for Splenomegaly?

Workup

What is a clinical diagnosis of splenomegaly confirmed?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of splenomegaly?

What is the role of complete blood count (CBC) in the workup of splenomegaly?

How is hypersplenism diagnosed in splenomegaly?

What causes anemia in patients with splenomegaly?

How is neutropenia diagnosed in splenomegaly?

What causes thrombocytopenia in patients with splenomegaly?

What do histologic findings reveal in the workup of splenomegaly?

Which lab studies are performed in the workup of splenomegaly?

When is pathologic evaluation indicated in the diagnosis of splenomegaly?

What is the role of splenectomy in the diagnosis and management of splenomegaly?

What are the risks of splenic biopsy for the diagnosis of splenomegaly?

What is the role of CT scanning in the workup of splenomegaly?

What is the role of a liver-spleen colloid scan in the workup of splenomegaly?

Treatment

What are the benefits of medical treatment for splenomegaly?

What are the indications for splenectomy in the treatment of splenomegaly?

How is splenic sequestration treated in splenomegaly?

How is thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) treated in splenomegaly?

What is the role of low-dose radiotherapy in the treatment of splenomegaly?

When is inpatient care indicated for the management of splenomegaly?

What are the outpatient treatment options for splenomegaly?

When is transfer to a tertiary facility indicated in the treatment of splenomegaly?

When is consultation with a hematologist indicated for the treatment of splenomegaly?

Which activity restrictions are advised following splenectomy?

Which activity restrictions are advised for untreated splenomegaly?

What is the role of chemotherapy and antibiotics in the treatment of splenomegaly?

What is the role of immunosuppression in the treatment of splenomegaly?

What is the role of eliglustat in the treatment of splenomegaly?

What are the benefits of laparoscopy in the treatment of splenomegaly?

How is thrombocytosis managed following splenectomy for splenomegaly?

What is an indication of malaria recurrence in splenomegaly?

Why are patients at risk for postsplenectomy infection?

What is overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

What is the mortality rate for overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

What are the causative agents of serious infection following splenectomy?

How is overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) managed?

What is incidence of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

Why are trauma patients who undergo splenectomy at lower risk for overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI?)

How is overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) prevented?

What is the role of patient education in the prevention of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

What is the role of vaccination in the prevention of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

When is antibiotic prophylaxis used in the prevention of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

What is the role of preprocedure prophylaxis following splenectomy?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for splenomegaly?

Which medications are used to treat overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI)?

Which medications in the drug class Antibiotics, Other are used in the treatment of Splenomegaly?

Which medications in the drug class Vaccines, Inactivated, Bacterial are used in the treatment of Splenomegaly?