Spleen Flashcards
Name the 5 cystic lesions of the spleen
autosomal dominant polycystic disease hydatid cysts epidermoid cysts liquified infarcts/hematomas pancreatic pseudocysts
Which portion may be most helpful in an ultrasound exam of the spleen
rolled into a steep rt lateral decubitus position with left arm raised
Is the spleen often the site of primary disease
False, rarely
List the ligaments which hold the spleen in place
lienorenal
gastrosplenic
phrenocolic
What is splenomegaly
splenic enlargement
A length measurement greater than _____ is considered splenomegaly
13 cm
What are the primary causes of splenomegaly
portal hypertension
viral infections
bacterial infections
What are granulomas
Focal lesions resulting from previous infections
What is the most frequent cancer to metastasis to the spleen
melanoma
Which abdominal quadrant is the spleen located in
LUQ
What position is the left kidney to the spleen
inferior and medial
Is the spleen essential to life
no
Can trauma to the spleen be life threatening? why?
yes, organ stores blood, when it ruptures, it surrounds the spleen and peritoneal cavity
What is the most common primary neoplasm of the spleen
cavernous hemangiomas
What is polysplenia
bilateral left sidedness
What is abdominal heterotaxia
generic term defining the misarrangement of abdominal structures
What is the term for the normal common variant characterized by small, round masses with parenchyma identical to spleen, located near the splenic hilum
accessory spleen/splenule
What is the late ultrasound appearance of a spleen in a patient, associated with sickle cell anemia
spleen decreases in size and echogenic hypoechoic area in the periphery of the spleen
What are the two classifications of heterotaxia
polysplenia
asplenia
The spleen is part of the what system
reticuloendothelial
What is the spleen function
synthesis of blood proteins
what is the spleen
largest single mass of lymphoid tissue in the body
Due to its location in the LUQ, when the spleen enlarges it
extends anteriorly, medially and inferiorly
What is the modality of choice in evaluating abdominal trauma/splenic trauma
CT
What are the labs associated with the spleen
hematocrit bacteremia sepsis leukocytosis leukopenia thrombocytopenia
