Ruptured spleen
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207414391
2008-04-22T18:25:05Z
WLU
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{{DiseaseDisorder infobox |
Name = Ruptured spleen |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|S|36|0|s|30}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|865}} |
ICDO = |
Image = Gray1217.png |
Caption = Side of thorax, showing surface markings for bones, lungs (purple), pleura (blue), and spleen (green). |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = |
eMedicineSubj = med |
eMedicineTopic = 2792 |
DiseasesDB = 12369 |
}}
Rupture of the capsule of the [[spleen]], an organ in the upper left part of the [[abdomen]], is a potential catastrophe that requires immediate medical and [[surgical]] attention.
==Function of spleen==
The spleen is an organ in the upper left side of the abdomen that filters the blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets and helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances. It also holds extra blood that can be released into the circulatory system, if needed.
==Prevention==
The spleen is a useful but nonessential organ. It is sometimes removed (otherwise known as a [[splenectomy]]) in people who have blood disorders, such as [[thalassemia]] or [[hemolytic anemia]]. If the spleen is removed, a person must get certain immunizations to help prevent infections that the spleen normally fights.
==Prognosis==
Splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to leak into the abdominal cavity which is severely painful and life-threatening. Shock and, ultimately, death can result. Patients typically require an urgent operation, although it is becoming more common to simply monitor the patient to make sure the bleeding stops by itself and to allow the spleen to heal itself. Rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, for example, in an accident. If an individual's spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in [[mononucleosis]], most physicians will not allow activities (such as major contact sports) where injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.
==Signs==
* [[abdominal pain]]
* [[pain]] in the left [[shoulder]]
* [[hypotension]]
* [[tachycardia]]
==See also==
* [[Infectious mononucleosis]]
* [[Splenomegaly]]
* [[Kehr's sign]]
==External links==
* {{MerckHome|14|179|c}}
* {{MerckManual|11|141|d}}
* {{GPnotebook|1362427978}}
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/rupturedspleen1.shtml BBC]
[[Category:Diseases]]
{{disease-stub}}
{{Injuries, other than fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains}}
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