Symptom Finder - Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly
Massive splenomegaly is typical of three conditions: kala azar, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and myeloid metaplasia. The best way to examine
for an enlarged spleen is to have the patient lie on his or her right side with knees flexed almost onto the abdomen, place the fingers of one’s left hand under the subcostal margin, and have the patient take deep breaths. It may be necessary to have the patient take several breaths before the physician is sure that he or she is feeling the splenic margin. Another way to verify clinically that a patient has an enlarged spleen is to do a tourniquet test because there is often a thrombocytopenia. Also, look for hepatomegaly because hepatosplenomegaly is common in many diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, reticuloendotheliosis).
Massive splenomegaly is typical of three conditions: kala azar, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and myeloid metaplasia. The best way to examine
for an enlarged spleen is to have the patient lie on his or her right side with knees flexed almost onto the abdomen, place the fingers of one’s left hand under the subcostal margin, and have the patient take deep breaths. It may be necessary to have the patient take several breaths before the physician is sure that he or she is feeling the splenic margin. Another way to verify clinically that a patient has an enlarged spleen is to do a tourniquet test because there is often a thrombocytopenia. Also, look for hepatomegaly because hepatosplenomegaly is common in many diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, reticuloendotheliosis).