What are the Indications for Splenectomy?
There are several reasons why a spleen might need to be removed, and the following list, though not all inclusive, includes the most common reasons. The most common conditions that warrant Splenectomy in an adult are: * Trauma to the organ * Blood disorders like Hemolytic anemia (a condition that breaks down red blood cells) * Enlarged spleen * Benign tumors of the spleen * Auto immune diseases of the spleen * Spleenic cysts * Selected leukemias or lymphomas that affect the spleen * Genetic conditions that affect shape of RBC, like hereditary spherocytosis in which there are abnormally sphere shaped red blood cells or Thalassemia major How are these problems diagnosed? An evaluation typically includes a complete blood count (CBC), a visual look at the blood cells placed on a glass slide called a ‘smear’, and often a bone marrow examination. Sometimes an ultrasound examination of your spleen, a computerized tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear scan is needed
