Hyposplenism

Question 1

What are the causes of hyposplenism?

Answer 1

splenectomy
sickle-cell
coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis
Graves' disease
systemic lupus erythematosus
amyloid

Question 2

What are features of hyposplenism on a blood film?

Answer 2

Howell-Jolly bodies

Siderocytes

Question 3

What are the functions of the spleen?

Answer 3

Filter for blood cells (removes old)

Immunity

Question 4

When may a therapeutic splenectomy be performed?

Answer 4

Hereditary haemolytic anaemias

Autoimmune cytopoenias