hypersplenism /hī′pərsplē″nizəm/ [Gk, hyper + splen, spleen] , a syndrome consisting of splenomegaly and a deficiency of one or more types of blood cells. Causes may include portal hypertension, the lymphomas, the hemolytic anemias, malaria, tuberculosis, and various connective tissue and inflammatory diseases. Patients complain of abdominal pain of the left upper and middle quadrant. Patients often experience a sensation of fullness after small meals secondary to an enlarged spleen pressing against the stomach. On physical examination the enlarged spleen is felt and abnormal bruits (vascular sounds) may be auscultated over the epigastric area. Treatment of the underlying disorder may relieve the syndrome and its secondary effects. Splenectomy is considered when hemolytic anemias or splenic enlargement is severe, in treatment failures, or if the danger of vascular accident is significant. See also splenectomy.
