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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 ]
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.
Based on where and what injury or disease is identified, one or more additional procedures may be performed during an exploratory laparotomy, including: splenectomy, or removal of all or part of the spleen [13] hepatectomy, or removal of all or part of the liver [13] pericardial window, in which an opening is made in the sac surrounding the ...
Splenic infarction is a condition in which blood flow supply to the spleen is compromised, [1] leading to partial or complete infarction (tissue death due to oxygen shortage) in the organ. [2] Splenic infarction occurs when the splenic artery or one of its branches are occluded, for example by a blood clot .
The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells, triggers phagocytosis of invaders, and mounts an immunological response when necessary. [2] Lack of a spleen, called asplenia, can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, splenectomy. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection. [3]
Fever is the most common symptom of splenic abscess, followed by abdominal pain and a tender mass on palpation of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. The common signs and symptoms described of a splenic abscess include the triad of fever, left upper quadrant tenderness, and leukocytosis is present only in one-third of the cases.
Blunt splenic trauma most often occurs in automobile accident victims, in which it is a leading cause of internal bleeding. However, any type of major impact directed to the spleen may cause splenic trauma. This can happen in bicycling accidents, when the handlebar is forced into the left subcostal margin, and into the spleen.