Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Therefore, removal of the spleen runs the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection, a medical emergency and rapidly fatal disease caused by the inability of the body's immune system to properly fight infection following splenectomy or asplenia. [1] Common indications for splenectomy include trauma, tumors, splenomegaly or for ...
An overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a rare but rapidly fatal infection occurring in individuals following removal (or permanent dysfunction) of the spleen. The infections are typically characterized by either meningitis or sepsis , and are caused by encapsulated organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae . [ 3 ]
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. [1] The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the human abdomen.Splenomegaly is one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism which include: some reduction in number of circulating blood cells affecting granulocytes, erythrocytes or platelets in any combination; a compensatory proliferative response in the bone marrow; and the ...
Tonsillectomy · Adenoidectomy · Thymectomy · Splenectomy · Lymphadenectomy: Thymus transplantation · Spleen transplantation · Splenopexy · Lymph node biopsy: GI/mouth: Uvulopalatoplasty · Palatoplasty
Acquired asplenia occurs for several reasons: . Following splenectomy due to splenic rupture from trauma or because of tumor; After splenectomy with the goal of interfering with splenic function, as a treatment for diseases (e.g. idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thalassemia, spherocytosis), in which the spleen's usual activity exacerbates the disease
Lack of a spleen, called asplenia, can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, splenectomy. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection. [3] Autosplenectomy can occur in cases of sickle-cell disease where the misshapen cells block blood flow to the spleen, causing scarring and eventual atrophy of the organ. [2]
Splenic artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure and, where successful, avoids splenectomy. If an individual's spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in mononucleosis , most physicians will advise against activities (such as contact sports ) where injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.
Splenic infarction is also more common in hematological disorders with associated splenomegaly, such as the myeloproliferative disorders. Other causes of splenomegaly (for example, Gaucher disease or hemoglobinopathies) can also predispose to infarction. Splenic infarction can also result from a sickle cell crisis in patients with sickle cell ...