Splenomegaly

Alternative names:

enlarged spleen; spleen enlargement

Definition:

An enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size.

Considerations:

The spleen is an organ involved in the production and maintenance of red blood cells, the production of certain circulating white blood cells, as a part of the lymph system, and as a part of the immune system.

Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.

Common causes:

• infectious mononucleosis
• Banti's syndrome
• hemolytic anemias
  • thalassemia
  • hemoglobinopathies
  • hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
  • idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
  • immune hemolytic anemia

• sarcoidosis - bacterial infections
• sclerosing cholangitis
• viral infections
• parasitic infections
• cirrhosis (portal vein obstruction, portal hypertension
• leukemia
• Hodgkin's disease
• lymphoma
• Wilson's disease
• cystic fibrosis
• biliary atresia
• sickle cell splenic crisis
• cat scratch disease
• infectious mononucleosis (CMV)

Note: There may be other causes of splenomegaly. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for splenomegaly, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.