Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Because an enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, you may develop anemia, increased bleeding or frequent infections. More serious is the risk of a ruptured spleen. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes. When your spleen is enlarged, the possibility of rupture is far greater. A ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening bleeding into your abdominal cavity.

Tests and diagnosis Risk factors

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
  • Anemia

    • Section Focus
  • Ruptured spleen

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References
  1. Johnson HA, et al. Massive Splenomegaly. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1989 Feb;168(2):131-7, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2911790. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  2. Splenomegaly. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. November 2005, http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch179/ch179b.html. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  3. Patient Information for Spleen Removal (Splenectomy) from SAGES. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Surgeons, http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI12.
  4. Chronic Myloproliferative Disorders. National Cancer Institute, http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov/templates/doc.aspx?viewid=0edcce21-e137-437f-82d6-7f81a60337e0&version=1&allpages=1. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  5. The Spleen. Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/294/20/2660.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  6. Martin MB, et al. Thalassemia and the Spleen. The Cooley's Anemia Foundation. http://www.cooleysanemia.org/updates/Spleen1.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2008.
  7. Splenomegaly. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch138/ch138b.html. Accessed July 15, 2008.

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Nov. 11, 2008

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