10 Causes of Spleen Pain
Cause #8: Liver Cirrhosis
In liver cirrhosis, hepatic tissue is damaged and has been replaced by scar tissue that can no longer carry out many of its functions. The exact mechanism of splenic changes in liver cirrhosis is unclear. Liver cirrhosis increases the pressure in the hepatic portal vein, which is responsible for carrying blood from the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen to the liver. This pressure can back up into several of these organs, causing serious complications. Known complications of liver cirrhosis are splenomegaly and hypersplenism.
Hypersplenism is a sequela of splenomegaly and refers to an overactive spleen, that can cause sequestration and premature destruction of blood cells. Thus, patients with hypersplenism can develop cytopenia (i.e. low levels of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells). Splenic pain is a symptom of an enlarged spleen that may also become palpable, and tender.
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