Ruptured spleen
Classification and external resources
Side of thorax, showing surface markings for bones, lungs (purple), pleura (blue), and spleen (green).
ICD-10	S36.0
ICD-9	865
DiseasesDB	12369
eMedicine	med/2792

Rupture of the capsule of the spleen, an organ in the upper left part of the abdomen, is a potential catastrophe that requires immediate medical and surgical attention.

Contents 1 Function of spleen 2 Prevention 3 Prognosis 4 Signs 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Function of spleen

The spleen is an organ in the upper left side of the abdomen that filters the blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets, helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances by opsonization and producing antibodies. It also stores platelets (33% of total body platelets).

[edit] Prevention

The spleen is a useful but nonessential organ. It is sometimes removed (otherwise known as a splenectomy) in people who have blood disorders, such as thalassemia or hemolytic anemia. If the spleen is removed, a person must get certain immunizations to help prevent infections that the spleen normally fights.

[edit] Prognosis

Splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to leak into the abdominal cavity which is severely painful and life-threatening. Shock and, ultimately, death can result. Patients typically require an urgent operation, although it is becoming more common to simply monitor the patient to make sure the bleeding stops by itself and to allow the spleen to heal itself. Rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, for example, in an accident. If an individual's spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in mononucleosis, most physicians will not allow activities (such as major contact sports) where injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.

[edit] Signs

• abdominal pain
• pain in the left shoulder
• hypotension
• tachycardia

[edit] See also

• Infectious mononucleosis
• Splenomegaly
• Kehr's sign

[edit] External links

• 14-179c. at Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Home Edition
• 1362427978 at GPnotebook
• BBC

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v • d • e Injuries, other than fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains (S00-T14, 850-929) Head (head injury) and neck Traumatic brain injury (Concussion, Diffuse axonal injury, Cerebral contusion, Epidural hematoma, Subdural hematoma, Subarachnoid hemorrhage) Facial trauma (Black eye  · Eye injury) Thorax (chest trauma) lung: pleural disease (Pneumothorax, Hemothorax, Hemopneumothorax)  · Pulmonary contusion  · Pulmonary laceration heart and circulatory: Cardiac tamponade  · Commotio cordis  · Hemopericardium  · Traumatic aortic rupture Abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine and pelvis Ruptured spleen  · Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia Shoulder and upper arm Rotator cuff tear Knee and leg Achilles tendon rupture General Spinal cord injury  · Brachial plexus lesion Abrasion  · Amputation  · Avulsion  · Bite  · Blister  · Bruise  · Burn  · Hematoma Wound