blood disorders
Enlarged Spleen
Diagnosis of an Enlarged Spleen
Imaging of the abdomen Blood tests Doctors may suspect that the spleen is enlarged when people complain of fullness or pain in the upper left portion of the abdomen or back. Usually, doctors can feel an enlarged spleen during a physical examination. An x-ray of the abdomen done for other reasons may also show that the spleen is enlarged. Ultrasonography or Blood tests show decreased numbers of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. When blood cells are examined under a microscope, their shape and size may provide clues to the cause of the spleen enlargement. An Bone Marrow Examination may show cancer of the blood cells (such as Doctors cannot easily remove a sample of the spleen for examination because inserting a needle or cutting spleen tissue may cause uncontrollable bleeding. If an enlarged spleen is removed during surgery to diagnose or treat certain diseases, the spleen is sent to a laboratory, where the cause of enlargement can usually be determined. 