Hypersplenism

An overactivity of the spleen resulting in, and associated with, blood disease. One of the functions of the spleen is to break down blood cells as they age and wear out. An overactive spleen may begin to destroy cells indiscriminately, causing a deficiency of any of the types of blood cell. In most cases, the spleen will also be enlarged. Hypersplenism may be primary, occurring for no known reason, but more commonly it is secondary to another disorder in which the spleen has become enlarged, such as Hodgkin’s disease or malaria. Hypersplenism causes anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and there may be a decrease in resistance to infection. Primary hypersplenism is treated with splenectomy. Treatment of secondary hypersplenism aims to control the cause.