Splenic rupture

WikiDoc Resources for Splenic rupture
Articles
Most recent articles on Splenic rupture Most cited articles on Splenic rupture Review articles on Splenic rupture Articles on Splenic rupture in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Splenic rupture Images of Splenic rupture Photos of Splenic rupture Podcasts & MP3s on Splenic rupture Videos on Splenic rupture
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Splenic rupture Bandolier on Splenic rupture TRIP on Splenic rupture
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Splenic rupture at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Splenic rupture Clinical Trials on Splenic rupture at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Splenic rupture NICE Guidance on Splenic rupture NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Splenic rupture CDC on Splenic rupture
Books
Books on Splenic rupture
News
Splenic rupture in the news Be alerted to news on Splenic rupture News trends on Splenic rupture
Commentary
Blogs on Splenic rupture
Definitions
Definitions of Splenic rupture
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Splenic rupture Discussion groups on Splenic rupture Patient Handouts on Splenic rupture Directions to Hospitals Treating Splenic rupture Risk calculators and risk factors for Splenic rupture
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Splenic rupture Causes & Risk Factors for Splenic rupture Diagnostic studies for Splenic rupture Treatment of Splenic rupture
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Splenic rupture
International
Splenic rupture en Espanol Splenic rupture en Francais
Business
Splenic rupture in the Marketplace Patents on Splenic rupture
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Splenic rupture

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a potential catastrophe that requires immediate medical and surgical attention.

Pathophysiology

The spleen is an organ in the upper left side of the abdomen that filters the blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets and helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances. It also holds extra blood that can be released into the circulatory system, if needed.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Hypotension
• Pain in the left shoulder
• Tachycardia

Prognosis

Splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to leak into the abdominal cavity which is severely painful and life-threatening. Shock and, ultimately, death can result. Patients typically require an urgent operation, although it is becoming more common to simply monitor the patient to make sure the bleeding stops by itself and to allow the spleen to heal itself. Rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, for example, in an accident. If an individual's spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in mononucleosis, most physicians will not allow activities (such as major contact sports) where injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.

Prevention

The spleen is a useful but nonessential organ. It is sometimes removed (otherwise known as a splenectomy) in people who have blood disorders, such as thalassemia or hemolytic anemia. If the spleen is removed, a person must get certain immunizations to help prevent infections that the spleen normally fights.

Related Chapters

• Infectious mononucleosis
• Splenomegaly
• Kehr's sign

Resources

• Template:MerckHome
• Template:MerckManual