Symptoms in the area of the spleen that indicate a disease
In the area of the spleen, different diseases can occur, which are expressed by different as well as by the same symptoms. Among the most common diseases of the spleen are
- Hepathopathies
- Infections
- Memory Diseases
- Splenic pain
The term “hepatopathies” actually describes a number of diseases of the liver. However, since most of these diseases also affect the spleen, they are the most common cause of enlargement of the spleen.
The patients affected usually show classic symptoms of liver diseases. These symptoms include pronounced fatigue and pain in the area of the right upper abdomen. In addition, jaundice (icterus) may develop in the course of the disease.
In most cases, the symptom of jaundice can first be detected in the area of the eyes (more precisely: on the sclera). With regard to the spleen, the affected patients experience a significant increase in the size of the splenic tissue (splenomegaly) due to portal hypertension. The differential diagnosis between the individual infections affecting the spleen is hardly possible based on the symptoms.
The affected patients show similar symptoms in almost all basic infectious diseases. In particular, the occurrence of high fever and the inflammatory swelling of the lymph nodes are among the most common symptoms observed in all infectious diseases. Ultimately, the diagnosis of the relevant diseases must be made by means of a blood smear, bacteriological and serological tests.
Among the most common infectious diseases that affect the spleen are In these infectious diseases, an increase in the size of the spleen tissue can be observed in the course of the disease.
- Mononucleosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Brucellosis
- Cytomegaly
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Tuberculosis
- Malaria
- Leishmaniasis
The typical storage diseases affecting the spleen are M. Gaucher and M. Niemann-Pick. The diagnosis of these two diseases is based on a histological examination of the liver and bone marrow.
In these diseases, classical symptoms occur in the area of the spleen. In affected patients, the spleen can be palpated below the left costal arch. The original weight of the organ can double to over 300 grams in the course of one of these diseases.
In addition, pain in the upper and lower abdomen is provoked by the displacement of the stomach and some sections of the intestine. If the spleen increases significantly in mass within a short period of time, this can lead to the development of a splenic infarction or capsule tension. Classically, the symptom “sudden, severe lower abdominal pain” indicates this problem.
Splenic pain is usually localized in the area of the upper abdomen. However, it can also be localized on the left side of the lower abdomen. Frequently, the pain radiates so that the entire left abdominal area is affected.In the case of very severe splenic pain, this can also be felt down to the left shoulder.
Since diseases of the spleen are often associated with general physical exhaustion and additional accompanying symptoms, those affected are often generally very sensitive to pain and pain can also occur in other parts of the body. In general, there can be many causes for the acute occurrence of splenic pain. Among the most common reasons for the development of splenic pain are splenic ruptures, vascular occlusion (splenic infarction) and inflammatory processes in the area of the splenic capsule.
A splenic rupture is in most cases a direct consequence of a traumatic event (for example, a traffic accident). If, in addition to the occurrence of splenic pain, a significant enlargement of the organ is palpable, this can be a first indication of a serious underlying disease. In particular, tumors of the spleen, infectious diseases such as Pfeiffer’s glandular fever and various metabolic diseases often cause the symptom complex splenic pain and palpable enlargement of the spleen.
Patients who observe the acute onset of splenic pain should consult a doctor immediately. Pain in the area of the spleen always requires prompt medical clarification and the immediate initiation of appropriate treatment. Many of the possible causes can lead to serious complications if the start of treatment is delayed.
In the case of a traumatic rupture of the spleen with acute splenic pain, severe internal bleeding and, in the worst case, death can result. The diagnosis of splenic pain is divided into several steps. Depending on the constitution of the affected patient, only a short interview is conducted by the treating physician.
Within a very short time, the doctor tries to find out what symptoms exist, where the splenic pain is located and whether other symptoms (such as fever or fatigue) have been observed. In addition, the patient will be asked about possible traumatic events. Even during this doctor-patient interview (anamnesis), a blood sample is usually taken, followed by a laboratory chemical analysis of certain blood values (e.g: hemoglobin, c-reactive protein, leukocytes, thrombocytes etc.).
This is followed by an orienting clinical examination. During this examination, the attending physician attempts to palpate the spleen and obtain a rough overview of the other abdominal organs. If there is a rupture of the spleen, this can usually be discovered during an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.
If the findings are unclear, further imaging procedures should be initiated. The treatment of splenic pain depends on the causative disease. In case of a splenic rupture with acute splenic pain, the organ is usually surgically removed.
Compared to other organs of the human body, the spleen is important but not vital. For those affected, a reasonably normal life is therefore possible even after surgical removal of the organ. The spleen and the spleen capsule can become inflamed and cause extremely unpleasant symptoms.
Chronic inflammation can cause anemia and coagulation disorders. The spleen is a storage place for red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the platelets involved in clotting. Consequently, a disorder of the spleen’s function can cause anemia due to a lack of red blood cells and an increased tendency to bleed due to a lack of platelets for blood clotting.
The consequences of anemia are often fatigue, poor performance and concentration problems. Both acute and chronic inflammation can cause severe pain. The pain is typically located in the upper left abdomen below the costal arch and can radiate into the entire abdomen, back and left shoulder.
The spleen is often palpably swollen and extremely painful under pressure. Splenic inflammation should be presented to a physician immediately in order to rule out dangerous differential diagnoses, such as a splenic infarction, and to prevent chronic inflammation. A splenic infarction is an infarction of splenic tissue.
An infarction is the death of tissue as a result of reduced blood flow due to insufficient blood flow (ischemia). This means that the spleen is insufficiently supplied with blood and spleen tissue dies. A splenic infarction can have various causes, such as leukemia, endocarditis, atrial fibrillation, thromboembolism, blood poisoning and other diseases of the vessels and blood cells.The various causes lead to a constriction or occlusion of blood vessels in the spleen and cause a reduced blood supply to the organ.
A splenic infarction is an acute clinical picture. Those affected suffer severe pain in the left upper abdomen, which can occur suddenly and radiate into the entire abdominal cavity. Typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, malaise, chills and fever.
In the region of the spleen, i.e. under the left costal arch, the patients suffer from severe pressure pain, which increases as the disease progresses. Further complaints are sudden outbreaks of sweat and a strong feeling of illness. The area under the left costal arch can be swollen and reddened.
Medically, the splenic infarction falls under the collective term “acute abdomen“. A splenic infarction must be clarified immediately by a doctor. Depending on the cause of the infarction, immediate treatment may be vital.
Furthermore, in the case of recurrent splenic infarctions, a drug treatment with anticoagulants may be necessary. Unfortunately, a splenic infarction is associated with a poor prognosis, since it is often caused by serious diseases such as myeloid leukemia or splenic vein thrombosis. A splenic tumor is a tissue growth of the spleen.
Benign tumors are, for example, growths from vascular cells such as hemangiomas and lymphangiomas or tumors from connective tissue cells such as lipomas and fibromas. Malignant tumors of the spleen are rare; they lead to destruction of the spleen and can metastasize to the liver, heart and lungs. Possible symptoms are a pressure-painful, palpable enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), coagulation disorders, abdominal pain, vomiting, lack of appetite, nighttime white count, fatigue and weight loss.
A hemangioma in the spleen is a benign tumor, also called haemangioma, which originates from vascular cells. The tumor can be delimited in imaging examinations and cannot metastasize. A hemangioma typically causes splenomegaly.
The spleen can enlarge so much that it can be palpated under the left costal arch. A hemangioma in the spleen can be harmless. However, if a hemangioma causes splenomegaly that is unbearable for the affected person and functional disorders of the spleen, surgical removal may be indicated.
