Spleen Flashcards
What is the average size the spleen measures to?
The average size the spleen measures to :
12cm length
8cm AP
4cm TRV
Where does the Spleen receive arterial blood from?
The spleen receives arterial blood from the “splenic artery”
What kind of vascular is the spleen?
The spleen is a “high” vascular.
Hemangioma is known as?
Hemangioma is known as “most common benign, vascular neoplasm of the spleen and most often affect men 20-50 years”
What does the metastatic lesions found demonstrate? (Think of Toy Story)
Most metastatic lesions are found within”spleen demonstrate a “bulls eye”
Spleen extends inferior beyond what margin?
Spleen is mobile normally does not extend inferior beyond left costal margin
What happens to the Spleen when size and weight may vary based on ?
The spleen decreases in volume and size with advancing age
Increase in size during digestion
What is Heterotaxy known as ?
Heterotaxy is known as “ a disruption in the normal embryology development to the left symmetry”
What is asplenia known as?
Asplenia is known as “ the congenital absence of the spleen/also known as ivemark syndrome.
-Splenic aplasia may be diagnosed in cases of congenital absence, surgical removal or atrophy resulting from arterial or venous occlusions
What is “SPLENIC HYPOPLASIA (hyposplenia) “
SPLENIC HYPOPLASIA (hyposplenia) - a small pathologic spleen resulting from abnormal development or parenchymal involution
What is “POLYSPLENIA” known as ?
POLYSPLENIA - presence of multiple smaller spleens of similar size/ rare embryological disorder
What is Accessory spleen known as ?
ACCESSORY SPLEEN - a common anatomic variant seen is apx 10 - 30% of the
population-. It occurs when a portion of splenic tissue separates itself from the main body of the spleen and is found in an ectopic position. Most are small and measure apx 2 cms. 75 % of accessory spleens are found near the splenic hilum PG 262 10-5 A B 20% located within the pancreatic tail. On ultrasound they present as round mildly echogenic and homogeneous with posterior enhancement
What is “WANDERING OR ECTOPIC SPLEEN” known as ?
WANDERING OR ECTOPIC SPLEEN -a spleen that migrates from the normal LUQ position to other abdomen or pelvic location
Lab values and what might they result?
LAB VALUES
1.leukocytosis(abnormally high level of WBCs) may indicate the presence of inflammation, infection hemorrhage carcinoma and acute leukemia
2.leukopenia abnormally low level of WBCSs may result from chemo/radiation therapy, leukemia, viral infection, aplastic anemia, anaphylactic shock, diabetes
3.Hematocrit- percentage of blood volume occupied by RBCs
Can you live without a spleen ?
Yes you can live without a spleen
What is “SPLENOMEGALY “
SPLENOMEGALY - enlargement of the spleen is one of the most common splenic abnormalities seen in US.
What is the most common cause for splenomegaly?
A common cause of splenomegaly is portal congestion secondary to liver cirrhosis (Portal hypertension) increased pressure within the portal venous system that reverses the normal flow through the portal and splenic veins toward the liver.
What blood disorder cause splenomegaly ?
Sickle cell disease cause splenomegaly
What is the most common malignant disease affecting the spleen?
LYMPHOMA - the most common malignant disease affecting the spleen
Patients with metabolic disorders spleen tends to?
In patients with metabolic disorders the spleen may be distended due to the presence of macrophages, vascular compromise and metabolic elements unique to each disease process
What type of splenic cyst are there?
Splenic Cysts may be congenital or acquired
What is Congenital cyst defined as?
CONGENITAL
-cysts arising from epithelial or endothelial lining are considered primary or true cysts
What is a acquired or secondary splenic cyst?
ACQUIRED or secondary splenic cysts may develop in association with
-inflammation’
-trauma
-parasitic infection
Post traumatic or splenic PSEUDOCYSTS is known as?
Post traumatic or splenic PSEUDOCYSTS account for apx 80% of all splenic cysts and are often in sequelae to hematomas. A Capsule of fibrous tissue often develops around resolved subcapsular or intraparenchymal hematomas which ultimately liquefy and forms a traumatic pseudocyst. They only require treatment if they become large and symptomatic.
- In apx 50% of cases delayed splenic rupture may occur
-splenic rupture is a life threatening event when an acute hemorrhage ruptures through splenic capsule and blood spills out into the abdominal cavity
Parasitic cysts are known as ?
Parasitic cysts are common among the benign cysts that present worldwide
Parasitic cysts are overwhelmingly echinococcal (hydatid) in origin
LYMPHANGIOMAS is most common in what ages group?
LYMPHANGIOMAS
-most common in children
What are a few things that define the abscess?
ABSCESSES
-often result from the hematological spread of infection, most often abscesses are multiple due to this
- single focal abscesses are uncommon
-common causes are endocarditis, septicemia and trauma
-diagnosis may be hampered due to absent or subtle symptoms
-due to delay in diagnosis, risk of rupture increases causing a high mortality rate
-symptoms may include LUQ pain, high grade fever, vomiting
- complex appearance on ultrasound with mixed echogenic properties
INFARCTS can be defined as?
INFARCTS
- Splenic infarction is an occlusion of a segment of splenic arterial supply, and infarcts secondary to a wide range of pathological causes
Infarcts are seen sonographically?
infarcts appear as well-demarcated hypoechoic, wedge shaped or round areas located at periphery with diminished doppler flow PG 270 10-11, A.B
-echogenicity is related to the age of the infarct
key sonographic indication is the bright band sign
What is the most common damaged organ in blunt force abdominal trauma
spleen is the organ most frequently damaged in blunt abdominal trauma
In case of rupture, sonographer should examine pelvis, morrison’s pouch and flanks of the patient for intraperitoneal hemorrhage
Hemoperitoneum- blood in the peritoneal cavity- is often indicated as a complex fluid
Found within the lesser and greater sac on both sides of gastrosplenic ligament
SPLENIC CALCIFICATIONS
-generally and incidental finding and may occur in association with a wide variety of conditions
-hematological
-infective
-malignant
-vascular
-_____Calcifications may result from previous infarction or hematoma
-echogenic with varying degrees of acoustic shadowing PG 273 10-14
LYMPHOMA is the most common malignant disease to affect the spleen
Lab results often demonstrate elevated white blood count and anemia Sonographically
-lymphoma may present as isolated hypoechoic masses with poorly defined margins PG 273 10-15A
-in cases of diffuse involvement, the entire splenic parenchyma may demonstrate several tumor-like nodules resulting in heterogeneous appearance 10-15