Splenomegaly. Functions of the spleen:

 Functions of the spleen:

1-       Filters out and destroys old and damaged blood cells,  

     intraerythrocyte inclusions and foreign particles.

2-       Plays a key role in preventing infection by producing lymphocytes and acting as a first line of defense against invading pathogens.

     3- Stores RBCs and platelets.

     4- Hematopoietic Function

Causes of Splenomegaly:

             Infection        

                            Viral: EBV, CMV, HIV and Hepatitis.
                             Bacterial: Salmonella, Brucella,  SBE, TB and Syphilis.

                            Protozoal: Malaria, Toxoplasma and  leishmania.

                            Fungal: Histoplasmosis and Coccidiodmycosis

              Red blood cell destruction   

                                    Spherocytosis , Thalassemia , G6PD, PKD and AIHA

             Venous outflow obstruction    

                                   Cirrhosis , portal hypertension  and  splenic vein thrombosis

             Immune Response:

                                  SLE, RA and Felty’s Syndrome

            Infiltrative :

                                 Sarcoidosis,  Amyloidosis and Gaucher disease

            Neoplastic                          

                                  Lymphoproliferative  (HD, NHL CLL)

                                   Myeloproliferative    (CML, PCV, ETT, MF)

                                   Hairy Cell Leukemia, ALL and  AML

                                   Sarcoma and Metastatic carcinoma

             Miscellaneous :

                                  Trauma, splenic cysts and hemangioma