What are the symptoms of Hypersplenism?
Symptoms
- Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder.
- A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach.
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
- Frequent infections.
- Bleeding easily.
What happens in Hypersplenism?
Hypersplenism is an overactive spleen. The spleen is an organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen. The spleen helps filter old and damaged cells from your bloodstream. If your spleen is overactive, it removes the blood cells too early and too quickly.
What is difference between Hypersplenism and splenomegaly?
Splenomegaly refers strictly to spleen enlargement, and is distinct from hypersplenism, which connotes overactive function by a spleen of any size.
What organ is below your left shoulder blade?
The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. It is an organ that is part of the lymph system and works as a drainage network that defends your body against infection.
Why does leukopenia occur in Hypersplenism?
Hypersplenism consists of a characteristic triad of splenomegaly, variable degrees of cytopenia (anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia) due to excessive splenic sequestration of blood cells, and compensatory bone marrow proliferation.
Can you have Hypersplenism without splenomegaly?
Splenomegaly is not synonymous with hypersplenism. Overactivity of the spleen can occur without enlargement, as is seen in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Similarly, splenomegaly is not always associated with hypersplenism.
What’s the difference between splenomegaly and Hypersplenism?
Does Hypersplenism cause pancytopenia?
This is a pancytopenia occurring in patients with an enlarged spleen. It is due to large numbers of cells being pooled and destroyed in the spleen’s reticulo-endothelial system, and haemodilution because of an increased plasma volume. It can present with symptoms of anaemia, infection, or bleeding.