Splenic Disorders Flashcards
The spleen has red and white pulp. What 3 things make up the white pulp?
Marginal zone
PALS
Primary follicles
What does the red pulp in the spleen do?
Network that filters RBCs and platelets
What does the marginal zone (part of the white pulp) in the spleen do?
Macrophages that clear debris
What does the PALS (part of the white pulp) in the spleen contain?
T cells
What does the primary follicles (part of the white pulp) in the spleen contain and make?
B cells that make antibodies
Splenomegaly
Enlarged spleen
Enlarged spleen
Splenomegaly
What is a type of splenomegaly that is a pathologic condition?
Hypersplenism
Hypersplenism
Pathologic splenomegaly where blood cells are removed by the spleen
Hypersplenism
Pathologic splenomegaly where blood cells are removed by the spleen
3 examples of diseases where Hypersplenism occurs?
Sickle Cell Disease
Hereditary Spherocytosis
ITP (immune thrombocytopenic purpura)
With Hypersplenism, splenomegaly is a result of?
Blood cells being removed/degraded by the spleen
Physical exam to evaluate the spleen?
Castell’s point
If the pre-test probability of splenomegaly is LOW, should you perform palpation and percussion?
NO
- They are not sensitive enough to rule in/out splenomegaly
If the pre-test probability of splenomegaly is LOW, what imaging should you obtain?
Ultrasound
On an ultrasound of the spleen, what should you NOT see?
Dark fluid around the spleen