All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Diseases of the spleen
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
Primary diseases of the spleen are extremely rare, and then mainly degenerative processes and cysts. But as a symptom, splenomegaly is quite common and is a manifestation of many diseases. Diagnosis of splenomegaly is currently not difficult: palpation + ultrasound, and its cause can sometimes be very difficult to identify. Initially, it is necessary to conduct a general blood test, blood biochemistry, serological tests.
According to Bowdler (1983), all diseases of the spleen that cause the development of splenomegaly are divided into several groups:
- acute and chronic infections (viral infections, sepsis, syphilis, tuberculosis);
- congestion in the portal vein system (mainly with portal blocks, pericarditis);
- inflammatory and granulomatous processes (serum sickness, berylliosis, etc.);
- hematological diseases (hemolytic anemia, etc.);
- tumors (leukemia, lymphosarcoma, cancer, melanoma, angiosarcoma);
- storage diseases (histiocytosis, Gaucher disease, etc.); others (lymphogranulomatosis, thyrotoxicosis, etc.).
In terms of frequency, splenomegaly is associated with hematological pathology in 80% of cases, with liver pathology in 16% of cases, and only 4% are due to other systemic and congenital diseases of the spleen.
Of the surgical conditions, spleen diseases can be mainly a consequence of hepatobiliary pathology and diseases accompanied by the development of solaritis and mesenteritis, intoxication syndrome. In the first case, spleen diseases, as a rule, are of a congestive nature and are a consequence of portal hypertension; in the second case, they are reactive. When a patient initially seeks help and identifies the causes of the disease, it is necessary to exclude the named pathology and refer the patient to a hematologist for subsequent examination.
[