Diseases of the Spleen

The spleen is an organ about the size of the palm of the hand, which lies in the left upper abdomen, tucked away under the left lower margin of the ribs. It is a composite organ and one of its functions is to act as a blood reservoir.

Rupture of the spleen may occur as a result of injury to the abdomen. It is commonest when the organ is diseased and enlarged, as in typhoid fever or malaria. It gives rise to severe internal haemorrhage, and requires immediate treatment by surgical operation.

Chronic Enlargement
An enlarged spleen can be felt as a smooth hard mass in the left upper abdomen projecting from below the left lower margin of the ribs. The whole spleen becomes dense and fibrous and occasionally attains an enormous size.

Enlargement of the spleen is a feature of many diseases, both in the tropics and in temperate climates. It is common in malaria, kalaazar, tuberculosis, syphilis, Hodgkin's disease, and in various types of anaemia and blood diseases. Examination of the blood by special methods is usually necessary to discover the cause of enlargement in any particular case.

Treatment
This will vary according to the treatment of the fever or blood disorder that is causing the enlargement.

Additional Resource:
Spleen Diseases: U.S. National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health

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