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Splenomegaly, Pediatric

Tiffany F. Lin, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Splenomegaly can be an incidental finding on imaging or examination or it can present with left upper quadrant pain.

  • Thorough history often can differentiate the various causes of spl...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Etiologies of pediatric splenomegaly include congenital growths, deposition of lipids or storage disorders, robust hemolytic disease, infiltrative process, inflammatory or infectious ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment depends on underlying etiology.

  • Spleen guards can be used to protect from traumatic splenic rupture.

ISSUES FOR REFERRAL

  • Increasing size over serial examinations (hepa...

ONGOING CARE

General goal is to determine the etiology of the large spleen. 
  • Establish the presence of enlarged spleen, not a palpable spleen that is pushed down by inflated lungs.

  • Rule out common cause...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Benter T, Klühs L, Teichgräber U. Sonography of the spleen. J Ultrasound Med.  2011;30(9):1281–1293. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Donnelly LF, Foss JN, Frush DP, et al. Heter...

CODES

ICD9

  • 789.2 Splenomegaly

  • 865.01 Injury to spleen without mention of open wound into cavity, hematoma without rupture of capsule

  • 228.04 Hemangioma of intra-abdominal structures

  • 759.0 Anomalies of sple...

FAQ

  • Q: How long will the enlarged spleen secondary to a viral infection be present?

  • A: The enlarged spleen may persist for several months.

  • Q: Should patients with decreased splenic function due to splen...

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