Which doctor treats splenic pain?
Patients with splenic pain usually go to their general practitioner with symptoms of abdominal pain, whereupon the general practitioner conducts a detailed interview and then palpates the abdomen as part of a physical examination. It is not difficult to attribute the abdominal pain to the spleen, since only an enlarged spleen can be palpated. The enlarged spleen can also be detected in the ultrasound examination. In addition, the general practitioner may request blood tests, which reveals hypersplenism with thrombopenia (reduction of blood platelets) and anemia (anemia). In inconclusive cases or suspected rupture of the spleen, a referral to a radiologist for an MRI or CT may be necessary.
When should I go to the doctor?
Pain in the spleen is unusual and usually indicates a pronounced infection or more serious illness. Pain in the left upper abdomen, which cannot be explained in any other way, should be examined by a doctor. The doctor can quickly determine whether the spleen is swollen and enlarged by palpating the abdomen.
An enlarged spleen can also be quickly diagnosed by ultrasound. Anyone who can palpate their spleen even under the costal arch in the left upper stream should also consult a doctor. Even experienced examiners often cannot find the spleen at normal size, so if the spleen can be palpated by itself, it is enlarged in any case.
