| Ruptured spleen | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
Side of thorax, showing surface markings for bones, lungs (purple), pleura (blue), and spleen (green). |
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| ICD-10 | S36.0 |
| ICD-9 | 865 |
| DiseasesDB | 12369 |
| eMedicine | med/2792 |
| MeSH | D013161 |
Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a situation that requires immediate medical attention. The rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident.
Contents |
The spleen is an organ in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that filters blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets. While not essential to sustain life, the spleen performs protective immunological functions in the body and contrary to popular belief, is not useless. It also helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances by opsonization and phagocytosis, and by producing antibodies. It also stores approximately 33 percent of all platelets in the body.
Because a splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to leak into the abdominal cavity, it can result in shock and death. In the past, this would routinely be treated with emergency surgery and possible removal of the spleen, but 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 on its own.
If an individual's spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in mononucleosis, most physicians will not allow activities (such as contact sports) where injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.
Patients whose spleens have been removed must receive immunizations to help prevent infections such as pneumonia. This helps to replace the lost function of this organ.
The spleen isn't only removed for emergency reasons, but sometimes for preventative purposes. Patients who have blood disorders such as thalassemia or hemolytic anemia may receive a splenectomy.
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