Spleen Injuries Contusion, LacerationAbdominal QuadrantsSpleen FunctionMore About The SpleenStill More About That Wonderful SpleenMethod of InjurySigns & SymptomsWhat is a spleen laceration?Spleen LacerationTreatmentSpleen InjuriesSpleen InjuriesContusion, LacerationContusion, LacerationJamie & KeithJamie & KeithAH 322AH 322October 1, 2003October 1, 2003Abdominal QuadrantsAbdominal QuadrantsRight Upper Right Upper –Liver, Pancreas, Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Kidney, and Lung and Lung Right Lower Right Lower –Appendix, Ureter, Appendix, Ureter, Bladder, Colon, and Bladder, Colon, and Gonads Gonads Left Upper Left Upper –Heart, Spleen, Kidney, Heart, Spleen, Kidney, Stomach, and Lung Stomach, and Lung Left Lower Left Lower –Ureter, Bladder, Colon, Ureter, Bladder, Colon, and Gonadsand GonadsSpleen FunctionSpleen FunctionThe primary filtering element for the The primary filtering element for the blood. Acts as a filter against foreign blood. Acts as a filter against foreign organisms that infect the blood organisms that infect the blood stream.stream.The site of red blood cell and platelet The site of red blood cell and platelet storage.storage.Filters out old red blood cells and Filters out old red blood cells and recycles them.recycles them.More About The SpleenMore About The SpleenThe spleen is the organ most often The spleen is the organ most often damaged in cases of abdominal trauma.damaged in cases of abdominal trauma.Any injury to the spleen can cause severe Any injury to the spleen can cause severe internal hemorrhage and shock. internal hemorrhage and shock. If surgically removed, the liver and red If surgically removed, the liver and red bone marrow can take over the functions bone marrow can take over the functions normally carried out by the spleen. normally carried out by the spleen.Still More About That Wonderful Still More About That Wonderful Spleen Spleen During periods of high infection, During periods of high infection, the spleen may become the spleen may become enlarged, increasing its ability to enlarged, increasing its ability to become injured. become injured. Infectious mononeucleosis is the Infectious mononeucleosis is the most likely cause of spleen most likely cause of spleen enlargement.enlargement.Method of InjuryMethod of InjuryBlunt traumaBlunt traumaInfection causes spleen to swellInfection causes spleen to swellIncreasing chance of contusion to Increasing chance of contusion to spleen2spleen2Signs & SymptomsSigns & SymptomsHistory of blow to upper left quadrantHistory of blow to upper left quadrantPale skinPale skinLight headedLight headedBlood pressure lowBlood pressure lowHeart rate upHeart rate upNauseaNauseaAbdominal rigidityAbdominal rigidityPt tender in upper left quadrant but less tender if Pt tender in upper left quadrant but less tender if muscles are tensemuscles are tenseKEHR's sign-pain in left shoulder KEHR's sign-pain in left shoulderWhat is a spleen laceration?What is a spleen laceration?A significant tear that involves the A significant tear that involves the main blood vessels to the spleen main blood vessels to the spleen which causes complete destruction of which causes complete destruction of the spleen.the spleen.Spleen LacerationSpleen LacerationExternal lateral view of a External lateral view of a spleen. spleen. Notice the normal slate-gray Notice the normal slate-gray color of the spleen. color of the spleen. Towards the right of this Towards the right of this specimen, extending from specimen, extending from the very top diagonally the very top diagonally across to the bottom of the across to the bottom of the specimen, is a large tear in specimen, is a large tear in the capsule of the spleen, the capsule of the spleen, exposing the pulp. exposing the pulp. Splenic lacerations are Splenic lacerations are common in automobile common in automobile accidents and are accidents and are particularly common if the particularly common if the spleen has undergone spleen has undergone enlargement due to some enlargement due to some reason. reason.TreatmentTreatmentMonitor even if just had wind knocked outMonitor even if just had wind knocked outSee MD if symptoms persistSee MD if symptoms persistNonoperative treatment is recommended with a Nonoperative treatment is recommended with a week of hospitalization.2 week of hospitalization.2 No activity for three weeks.2 Can resume light No activity for three weeks.2 Can resume light activity at three weeks to full recovery at four activity at three weeks to full recovery at four weeks.2 weeks.2 If surgical repair is needed, then will require23 If surgical repair is needed, then will require23 months to recover, whereas spleen removal will months to recover, whereas spleen removal will require six months before the athlete can return require six months before the athlete can return to activityto