Spleen Ultrasound Review -Steven Penny

all of the following are true of the spleen except A) it is the largest structure of the retriculoendothelial system B) the primary objective of the spleen is to filter peripheral blood C) the spleen has a convex inferior margin and a concave superior border D) the spleen is considered the largest lymphatic organ

C

all of the following are functions of the spleen except: A) storage of iron B) defense against disease C) blood reservior D) destruction of phagocytic cells

D

all of the following can be associated with splenomegaly except A) trauma B) hemolytic abnormalities C) mononucelosis D) pancreatitis

D

in a patient with suspected lymphoma the presence of Reed Sternburg cells indicates

Hodgkin lymphoma

someone who fell off their bike and has a complex mass in their spleen probably has

a hematoma

Epstein Barr infection is best described as

a herpesvirus that can leads to infectious mononucleosis in children

a complex cyst that results from the parasitic infestation of the spleen by a tapeworm is

a hydatid cyst

an area within the spleen that has become necrotic because of lack of oxygen is

a splenic infarct

small isoechoic mass by splenic hilum is most likely what?

accessory spleen

rare malignant tumor of the spleen that consists of blood vessel

angiosarcoma

Epstein-Barr infection

associated with infectious mononucleosis and will result in splenomegaly in children

where is the most common location of an accessory spleen

at the hilum

splenic artery

branch of the celiac trunk. courses laterally towards the spleen. marks the superior border of the pancreatic body and tail. enters spleen superior and anterior to the splenic vein

pitting

clean red blood cells of unwanted material

the spleen removes irregular blood cells from the blood stream and retains them through a process called

culling

the process of making red blood cells is called

erythropoiesis

in the fetus the spleen is responsible for

erythropoiesis- making red blood cells, and plays an important role in defense against infection

splenic vein

exits the spleen and travels along the posterior border of the pancreatic tail and body joins with the superior mesenteric vein posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the portal vein

spleen's primary function

filter the peripheral blood

a 1 cm rounded echogenic mass that does not produce shadowing is most likely what

hemangioma

splenic hemangioma has what echotexture compared to the spleen

hyperechoic

splenic infarct appearance

hypoechoic wedge shaped mass within the spleen in the acute stage. in the chronic stage appears more echogenic.

Hodgkin lymphoma

indicated by the presence of Reed-Sternburg cells. can be treated and carries a high recovery rate.

the spleen is an intra or retro peritoneal organ

intraperitoneal

echogenicity and appearance of the spleen

isoechoic or slightly hypoechoic to the liver. decreases in size with age.

white pulp

lymphatic function of the spleen produces lymphocytes to aid in immune response

spleen is the largest

lymphatic organ

cysts with the spleen

may have normal appearance (thin walls, anechoic, posterior enhancement). however cysts as the result of trauma may be complex. other cysts may be congenital, hydatid, or metastatic

splenomegaly

most common abnormality of the spleen. the spleen should not measure more than 12 cm. caused by portal hypertension, AIDS, mono, leukemia, lymphoma, infection, pediatric sickle cell anemia, and trauma.

hemangioma

most common benign tumor of the spleen. well defined hyperechoic mass.

lymphoma

most common malignancy of the spleen

small echogenic foci scattered throughout the spleen most likely represent

multiple benign granulomas

patient with history of abdominal pain and histoplasmosis what are you more likely to identify within the spleen

multiple granulomas

what is the most likely clinical finding of a patient who has splenic hemangioma

none

non Hodgkin lymphoma

not as easily managed and more common

metastatic disease to the spleen

not common occurs at late stages. primary sources are breast, lung, skin, and ovary

red pulp

phagocytic function of spleen. engulf and destroys pathogens

the most common cause of splenomegaly is

portal hypertension

the splenic vein marks the

posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

angiosarcoma

primary malignant tumor of the spleen. appear as a complex or solid mass.

in adults the spleen is responsible for

producing lymphocytes and monocytes. in cases of extreme anemia it can also produce red blood cells in adults.

type of tissue responsible for phagocytic function is

red pulp

culling

remove irregular cells from the bloodstream and retain them

what systemic disease results in the development of granulomas within the spleen and throughout the body

sarcoidosis

granulomatous disease of the spleen

small echogenic foci throughout the spleen. individual or multiple and may produce a shadow. often found in patients with a history of histoplasmosis (inhalation of airborne fungus that can affect the lungs and may spread to other organs), tuberculosis (serious bacterial disease that effects the lungs), and sarcoidosis (growth of inflamatory cells in different parts of the body).

accessory spleen

small round island of splenic tissue near splenic hilum or tail of the pancreas

patient presents with LUQ pain and you see a hypoechoic wedge shaped area in the spleen what does this most likely represent?

splenic infact

diffuse involvement of lymphoma or leukemia of the spleen will often lead to

splenomegaly

sickle cell disease will often lead to

splenomegaly

splenic artery marks the

superior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

the splenic vein joins with what structure posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the portal vein

superior mesenteric vein

the splenic artery originates

the celiac trunk

splenic infarct definition and causes

tissue that is deprived of oxygen will die. can be caused by bacterial endocarditis ( an infection of the surface of the heart that can spread to other organs), tumor embolization, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels that causes changes in the vessel walls), and lymphoma.

portal hypertension & spleen

when portal hypertension is suspected the sonographer should check the spleen for varices at the hilum. massive splenomegaly can lead to spontaneous rupture.

the type of tissue responsible for lymphatic function is

white pulp