Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Hyposplenism is used to describe reduced ('hypo-') splenic functioning, but not as severely affected as with asplenism. Functional asplenia occurs when splenic tissue is present but does not work well (e.g. sickle-cell disease, polysplenia ) – such patients are managed as if asplenic – while in anatomic asplenia , the spleen itself is absent.
The spleen is an organ within the lymphatic system and its primary function is to filter blood. However, the spleen also plays a key role in immune responses as it detects pathogens within the blood and secretes phagocytes to fight potential infection. Without these immune functions, individuals with isolated congenital asplenia are extremely ...
Post-splenectomy: A major function of the spleen is the clearance of opsonized, deformed, and damaged erythrocytes by splenic macrophages. If splenic macrophage function is abnormal or absent because of splenectomy, altered erythrocytes will not be removed from the circulation efficiently. Therefore, increased numbers of target cells may be ...
Howell–Jolly bodies are seen with markedly decreased splenic function. Common causes include asplenia (post-splenectomy) or congenital absence of spleen (right atrial appendage isomerism). Spleens are also removed for therapeutic purposes in conditions like hereditary spherocytosis , trauma to the spleen, and autosplenectomy caused by sickle ...
An autosplenectomy (from 'auto-' self, '-splen-' spleen, '-ectomy' removal) is a negative outcome of disease and occurs when a disease damages the spleen to such an extent that it becomes shrunken and non-functional. [1] The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells, triggers phagocytosis of invaders ...
Up to 30% of these children may develop splenic sequestration crisis with a mortality rate of up to 15%. This crisis occurs when splenic vaso-occlusion causes a large percentage of total blood volume to become trapped within the spleen. Clinical signs include severe, rapid drop in hemoglobin leading to hypovolemic shock and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual vaccine recommendations includes specifics for individuals without a functioning spleen. [ 11 ] The Green Book (immunisation guidance, UK) in chapter 7 [ 12 ] covers immunisation of people with underlying medical conditions that affect immunity which includes asplenic patients.
The principle form of management is blood transfusion every 3 to 4 weeks, which relieves the anemia but leads to iron overload and possible immune reaction. Medication includes folate supplementation, iron chelation, bisphosphonates, and removal of the spleen. [5] Alpha thalassemia can also be treated by bone marrow transplant from a well ...