Asplenia

Asplenia referred to in medicine, the functional impairment of the spleen. Here, between the actual absence of the organ spleen ( anatomical asplenia: congenital or after surgical removal of the spleen ( splenectomy ) ) is the functional asplenia and distinguished.

Diagnosis

A congenital malformation of the spleen can be obtained by imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computer or magnetic resonance imaging are detected. It rarely occurs in combination with other midline defects such as congenital heart defects. Such a combination is called after its describer Ivemark symptom complex and is one of the so-called Straight Taxien.

Functional Asplenia, in the context of sickle cell anemia, result from systemic autoimmune diseases, amyloidosis or after the transplantation of stem cells ( allergic reaction). In this case, the spleen is present but no longer functional. The asplenia can be diagnosed by a blood count. Here, the Howell - Jolly bodies, which are otherwise degraded by the spleen, demonstrated.

As Autosplenektomie is a functional asplenia due to rule multiple Milzinfarkten, hemorrhage, fibrosis or involution called.

Hazards

Due to a asplenia rises to the patient's risk of infection. In particular capsule carrying bacteria such as pneumococci can asplenia in a clinically severe sepsis ( overwhelming post- splenectomy - Infection, OPSI ) cause. The reason is that the immunological effect of the spleen is not or no longer available. Similarly, in asplenia increases the risk of fungal infections.

Prevention

Asplenia patients be vaccinated against pneumococcal possible. In childhood, also antibiotic prophylaxis can be considered in order to avoid potentially dangerous infections.