The spleen is an organ with an important role for both the immune system and the blood. Immune cells develop and replicate in the spleen. In addition, the spleen is responsible for removing old and damaged cells from the blood. If the spleen becomes damaged or injured, it may need to be removed, resulting in a somewhat weakened immune system.
Splenic Infarction
One type of spleen disorder is known as a splenic infarction. Splenic infarction is the result of a lack of blood flow to the spleen, resulting in portions of the spleen not getting enough oxygen. The affected splenic tissue rapidly exhausts its oxygen stores and then dies. Splenic infarction can be the result of blood clots that disrupt blood flow to portions of the spleen. It may also result from sickle cell anemia, due to the role of the spleen in processing old blood cells. When the spleen attempts to process blood cells in patients with sickle cell anemia, some of the blood cells can get stuck in the spleen, resulting in miniature blood clots. In the event that large portions of the spleen are destroyed by splenic infarction, the function of the spleen may become impaired. This can result in increased susceptibility to infections as well as fatigue, anemia, and easy bruising or bleeding.
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly is the clinical term for an enlarged spleen. It is typically the result of an underlying disorder. Sometimes a chronic infection can result in splenomegaly. Infections that can cause the spleen to become enlarged include infectious mononucleosis, malaria and tuberculosis. Other conditions, such as blood cancers, can also cause the spleen to enlarge as it attempts to filter out increased numbers of cells in the blood. Splenomegaly can also be caused by liver disease and certain systemic conditions such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. When the spleen becomes enlarged, it filters more platelets and blood cells out of the blood than usual, resulting in anemia and problems with blood clotting. This in turn causes the spleen to become even larger, resulting in a progressive cycle of increased filtering and increased splenic size. An enlarged spleen puts people at risk of having their spleen rupture.
Ruptured Spleen
A ruptured spleen is typically due to sudden trauma. A blow to the left chest or the upper left portion of the abdomen can result in the spleen rupturing. Common causes include car accidents, contact sports and fist fights. Because of the role of the spleen in filtering the blood, a ruptured spleen can cause massive internal bleeding and is a medical emergency.
