Table of Contents
What will ultrasound of spleen show?
Ultrasound can be used to evaluate local lymph nodes; the splenic lymph nodes are not normally easily visualised on ultrasound examination but if enlarged can appear as rounded, hypoechoic soft tissue structures situated along the splenic vessels close to the hilus.
What does a normal spleen ultrasound look like?
Ultrasound appearances The normal spleen has a fine, homogeneous texture, with smooth margins and a pointed inferior edge. It has similar echogenicity to the liver (but may be slightly hypo- or hyperechoic in some subjects) but the echoes tend to be finer and more closely packed than the liver.
What are abnormalities of the spleen?
Congenital anomalies affecting the shape of spleen are lobulations, notches, and clefts; the fusion and location anomalies of spleen are accessory spleen, splenopancreatic fusion, and wandering spleen; polysplenia can be associated with a syndrome.
What do lesions on the spleen mean?
In the immunocompromised patient, multiple small splenic lesions usually represent disseminated fungal disease and microabscesses. The spleen is a relatively rare site for metastatic disease; patients with metastatic lesions in the spleen usually have disease in other sites as well.
What happens if your spleen is inflamed?
An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible. Ruptured spleen. Even healthy spleens are soft and easily damaged, especially in car crashes.
What is the most common abnormality of the spleen?
An accessory spleen was the most common of the splenic anomalies.
How are spleen problems diagnosed?
Blood tests, such as a complete blood count to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in your system and liver function. Ultrasound or CT scan to help determine the size of your spleen and whether it’s crowding other organs. MRI to trace blood flow through the spleen.
How common are splenic lesions?
Splenic metastasis Secondary neoplastic lesions limited to the spleen are considered very rare and US imaging identifies the primary tumor in the abdomen in 70–81 % of cases [23].
What is the treatment for lesions on the spleen?
Total splenectomy remains the standard treatment for malignant lesions. For benign lesions, particularly those that are symptomatic and/or at risk of rupture, minimally invasive approaches and techniques for splenic conservation (partial splenectomy) have provided benefit.
Can you get an infection in your spleen?
Potential complications of an enlarged spleen are: Infection. An enlarged spleen can reduce the number of healthy red blood cells, platelets and white cells in your bloodstream, leading to more frequent infections. Anemia and increased bleeding also are possible.