83. Spleen Flashcards
What are the typical clinical signs of splenic neoplasia?
The typical clinical signs of splenic neoplasia include decreased appetite, anorexia, weight loss, abdominal distention, polydipsia, lethargy, weakness, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, and collapse.
What are the common splenic neoplasms in dogs?
The common splenic neoplasms in dogs are leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, liposarcoma, myxosarcoma, mast cell tumor, chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, lymphoma, metastatic adenocarcinoma, and myeloproliferative disease.
What is the most likely cause of splenic disease in cats?
In cats, splenic disease is most likely to be neoplastic; in one retrospective study, 73% of cats with sonographic evidence of splenic disease were ultimately diagnosed with splenic neoplasia.
What are the most common splenic neoplasms in cats?
The most common splenic neoplasms in cats are lymphosarcoma and mast cell tumors.
What are the hematologic changes commonly seen in dogs with splenic neoplasia?
The hematologic changes commonly seen in dogs with splenic neoplasia are anemia, mature neutrophilic leukocytosis, and increased total bilirubin and liver enzyme concentrations.
What radiographic findings are seen in dogs with splenic neoplasia?
Abdominal radiographic findings include an abdominal mass and loss of detail consistent with effusion. Thoracic radiographs are recommended to look for pulmonary metastatic lesions, effusion, sternal lymph node enlargement, and changes in the cardiac silhouette.
What is the recommended diagnostic imaging modality for identifying and characterizing splenic lesions and metastases?
Abdominal ultrasonography is an excellent modality for identifying and characterizing effusion, splenic lesions, and metastases.
What is the recommended treatment for splenic neoplasia?
Patient stabilization and complete splenectomy with biopsy of other abdominal sites as indicated.
What is the reported incidence of acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy in dogs?
Acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was reported in six dogs 24 to 48 hours after splenectomy.
How many dogs survived to discharge in a retrospective study of 33 dogs with PVT associated with various disease processes?
19 dogs survived to discharge in the retrospective study of 33 dogs with PVT.
What percentage of dogs presented for splenectomy were diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia in a prospective study?
44% of dogs presented for splenectomy were diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia in a prospective study of 50 dogs.
What percentage of dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma, hematoma, or leiomyosarcoma were diagnosed with arrhythmias in a retrospective study?
35% of dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma, hematoma, or leiomyosarcoma were diagnosed with arrhythmias in a retrospective study of 106 dogs.
What are some factors that may contribute to the development of ventricular arrhythmias in dogs after splenectomy?
Factors that may contribute to the development of ventricular arrhythmias include anemia, hypotension, leukocytosis, and splenic mass rupture.
What treatment options are generally reserved for patients with hemodynamic instability, multiform ECG complexes, very rapid ventricular tachycardia, or R-on-T complex after splenectomy?
Treatment options generally reserved for such patients include membrane stabilizers such as lidocaine HCl or procainamide HCl.
What are some complications associated with splenic disease in veterinary patients?
Complications can include disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary thromboembolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
What can be a risk factor for disseminated intravascular coagulation after splenic surgery?
Hemangiosarcoma of any origin is significantly overrepresented and can be a risk factor for disseminated intravascular coagulation after splenic surgery.
What are some postoperative care measures for splenorrhaphy?
Postoperative care measures for splenorrhaphy include IVFT, continuous ECG monitoring, supplemental oxygen or transfusions as needed, pain medication, and nutritional support.
What is the surgical technique used for splenorrhaphy?
The surgical technique for splenorrhaphy involves apposing the capsule in an interrupted mattress pattern with 4-0 or 5-0, rapidly absorbable, monofilament suture on a taper needle.
When is partial splenectomy performed?
Partial splenectomy is performed in cases of focal splenic abscess or injury.
What is the surgical technique used for partial splenectomy?
The surgical technique for partial splenectomy involves identifying and ligating or sealing the hilar vessels supplying the area to be resected. The TA stapler is then used to transect the spleen, and the distal capsule is apposed with absorbable suture.
When is complete splenectomy performed?
Complete splenectomy is performed when gastric blood flow is not compromised and involves ligation of the left gastroepiploic and short gastric arteries and veins, along with the splenic artery and vein.
What are some methods used for vessel ligation during splenectomy?
Methods used for vessel ligation during splenectomy include LigaSure to seal vessels up to 7 mm in diameter and hemostatic clips for vessels no greater than 3 mm in diameter.
What are some surgical conditions of the spleen?
Some surgical conditions of the spleen include splenic trauma and splenic torsion.
What breeds of dogs are more commonly affected by splenic torsion?
Large- and giant-breed dogs that have a deep-chested body type, including Great Danes, Saint Bernards, German Shepherds, and Irish Setters, are more commonly affected by splenic torsion.
What is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)?
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus is a condition in which the stomach becomes distended and twists on its longitudinal axis.
What is the median time reported for GDV occurrence after splenectomy?
The median time reported for GDV occurrence after splenectomy is 352 days.
What are some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of GDV in dogs undergoing splenectomy?
Some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of GDV in dogs undergoing splenectomy are large or giant breed, sexually intact male, and stretching of supporting ligaments by an expanding splenic mass.
Why are splenectomized animals believed to be at a higher risk for infection?
Splenectomized animals are believed to be at a higher risk for infection because the spleen is the primary site for the removal of infected red blood cells by bacteria, rickettsial agents, and hemoparasites.
What is the recommended approach for identifying pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance in splenectomized animals?
The recommended approach for identifying pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance in splenectomized animals is to culture congested spleens at the time of surgery.
What risks are associated with acute blood loss in splenectomized animals?
Splenectomized animals are at a higher risk for hypoxia and ischemia in the event of acute blood loss because they lack the splenic reservoir for immediate supplementation of circulating red blood cell volume.
How does splenectomy impact oxygen transport and maximal exercise capacity in athletic animals?
Splenectomy eliminates the exercise-induced increase in hematocrit, which is one mechanism in achieving oxygen transport and subsequent maximal exercise capacity in athletic animals.
In which animals can splenectomy result in catastrophic anemia and death?
In animals in which the spleen serves as the primary site of erythropoiesis, such as those with primary bone marrow disorders, splenectomy may result in catastrophic anemia and death.
What imaging techniques are commonly used in human medicine to differentiate hamartomas from other benign masses?
Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
What are the possible causes of focal lesions in the spleen?
Splenic foreign body, chronic suppurative splenitis, and replication of bacterial agents within the parenchyma
What type of splenic lesion is uncommon in dogs and rare in cats?
Abscess
Which parasitic cysts have been reported in the spleen?
Parasitic cysts formed by intermediate stages of Echinococcus granulosa and Cysticercus tenuicollis
What is the characteristic appearance of segmental infarctions in the spleen?
Wedge-shaped, with the base at the periphery, but can also be nodular or involve an entire extremity
What imaging techniques are useful for diagnosing splenic infarction?
Computed tomography scan with intravenous nonionic contrast and MRI with intravenous gadolinium contrast
What are some predisposing causes of splenic infarction in dogs?
Hypercoagulable states, splenomegaly, cardiac disease, neoplasia, liver or renal disease, excessive corticosteroids, sepsis, splenic hematoma, and vasculitis
What are siderotic plaques and siderocalcific plaques?
Siderotic plaques are benign golden brown or black patches resulting from iron accumulation, while siderocalcific plaques are dry encrustations containing hemosiderin, bilirubin, and calcium