8. Surgery of Pancreas and Spleen Flashcards
The spleen is located within what structure of the stomach?
within the leaf of the greater omentum
How is the spleen attached to the stomach and what is the significance of this structure?
gastrosplenic ligament (def. contributes to disease)
What are the branches that supply blood TO the spleen? and what drains blood out of the spleen?
- Blood in (Celiac a.—-> Splenic a.)
- Blood out (Splenic vein—>gastrosplenic vein—> portal vein)
What is the difference between the white pulp and the red pulp in terms of the parenchyma of the spleen?
- White pulp (immune response)= nodular lymphoreticular tissue
- Red pulp = Venous sinuses where RBC and Antigens are stored
What structures may resemble pathology in the spleen but are actually normal findings and their causes!!?? Which is most common
- Siderotic Plaques: (Calcium/iron deposits) MOST COMMON
- Ectopic splenic tissue
- Splenosis- usually from seeding of cells after sx or trauma
- Accessory spleen: congenital incidental

What are some of the general functions of the spleen? (5 main)
- RBC storage (10-20% RBC and 30% platelets)
- RBC maturation (SUMMER CAMP FOR RBC)
- Senescent/sick RBC removal
- A. (RBC life-4 months, become non pliable and can’t squeeze through pores of splenic sinuses= rupture or they are phagocytized
- Hematopoiesis
- Immune Function (removal of bacteria better than the liver)
What are the 2 main Morphological classifications of splenic pathology?
- Splenomegaly (symmetric enlargement)
- Mass (assymetric enlargement)
What are some of the causes of Splenomegaly (symmetric enlargement)? (4)
- Drug induced
- Thiopental and Acepromazine (5-40% of blood can be sequestered during anesthesia)
- Propofol-minimal
- Congestion (TORSION) focus on this****
- Infiltrative diseases
- Immune mediated disease
What are the main causes of splenic mass (asymmetric enlargement)?
- Neoplasia
- Hematoma***
- Nodular hyperplasia/EMH****
- Trauma—> Splenosis
- Abcess
Splenic torsion may be an isolated event from_______ of the ______ ______(anatomical structure) during previous _____ or trauma or from absence of the ligament congenitally.
Splenic torsion may be an isolated event from STRETCHING** of the **GASTROSPLENIC LIGAMENT** (anatomical structure) during previous **GDV or trauma or from absence of the ligament congenitally.
MOST COMMONLY, Splenic torsion is associated with this problem
GDV
What breeds are associated with splenic torsion? (4)
Large & giant breeds
– Great Dane
– Greater Swiss Mountain dog
– German Shepherd
– English Bulldog (not asc with GDV)
Above breeds accont for 50% of cases

Clinical signs of splenic torsion can either be _____ or _____
acute or chronic
Describe the acute CS of splenic torsion? (6)
• Acute abdomen – Similar to GDV or BECAUSE of GDV
– Acute abdominal pain/shock
– Abdominal distention
– Cardiovascular collapse
– Dysrhythmias
– DIC
Describe the chronic CS of splenic torsion? (6)
• Vague/Intermittent signs for up to 2 weeks
– Vomiting / diarrhea
– Weakness /depression
– Anemia
– Hematuria / Hemoglobinuria
– PU/PD
What is the best imaging modality to differetiate from splenic torsion or from splenic mass, what are you looking for?
Ultrasonography (flow)
– Mottled/diffuse hypoechoic areas
– Intraluminal echogenic densities in veins
– No flow in splenic vessels in torsion
Rads are okay for splenic torsion but not as good as U/S, why do we see gas bubbles often with torsions?
That portion of spleen dies off and attracts anaerobic bacteria and they often expire CO2 gas bubbles
On radiographs, splenic masses are normally top ranked but many people will forget this problem that should be on their differentials because it often resembles a splenic mass on rads?
Splenic torsion
Besides preop stabilization (fluids, transfusion, ab) what is the treatment of choice for Splenic torsion?
Exploratory Laparotomy to perform a splenectomy.
What procedure will be often do upon exploratory laparotomy to treat splenic torsion to take out the spleen?
Gastropexy (especially with large breeds, small cohort study actually found GDV assoc. with splenic torsion potential)
What do you never do to a splenic torson when performing a splenectomy?
DO NOT EVER DEROTATE THE SPLEEN PRIOR TO SPLENECTOMY
When submitting a histopath assessment to ensure no underlying pathology to the lab it is IDEAL to send it how?
Send the whole spleen!!!
What is the survival rate from splenic torsion?
93 of 102 so (91%) this is great!!!
What is most definitely NEVER a cause of splenic torsion (DR. C did a study that proved this potential cause once considered is not found in ANY cause)??
Neoplasia






