Spleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size.
The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.
Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.
Symptoms of splenomegaly include:
Armitage J. Approach to the patient with lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 174.