Injury to the spleen (splenic rupture)

Abdomen | Emergency Medicine | Injury to the spleen (splenic rupture) (Disease)


Description

A ruptured spleen is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the capsule-like covering of the spleen breaks open, pouring blood into your abdominal area. Depending on the size of the rupture, a large amount of internal bleeding can occur.

A ruptured spleen describes an emergency situation in which your spleen develops a break in its surface. Your spleen, located just under your rib cage on your left side, helps your body fight infection and filter old blood cells from your bloodstream.

Signs and symptoms of a ruptured spleen include: pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen, tenderness when you touch the upper left portion of the abdomen, tightheadedness, confusion

Causes and Risk factors

The spleen can rupture when the abdomen suffers a severe direct blow or blunt trauma. The spleen is the most frequent organ to be damaged in blunt trauma injuries involving the abdomen. Thats true regardless of your age.

Injury to the left side of the body. A ruptured spleen is typically caused by a blow to the left upper abdomen or the left lower chest, such as might happen during sporting mishaps, fistfights and car crashes. An injured spleen may rupture soon after the abdominal trauma or, in some cases, days or even weeks after the injury.

A ruptured spleen is a serious condition that can occur when your spleen experiences a trauma. With enough force, a blow to your abdomen — during a sporting mishap, a fistfight or a car crash, for example — might lead to a ruptured spleen. Without emergency treatment, a ruptured spleen can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Though some ruptured spleens require emergency surgery, others with ruptured spleens can be treated with several days of hospital care.

A ruptured spleen is a medical emergency. If you have pain in the left upper abdomen or signs and symptoms that indicate internal bleeding — such as lightheadedness, confusion, blurred vision or fainting — after an injury, seek emergency medical care. ...