I have hypodensity in spleen and have pain in the left rib cage. Is this to be taken very seriously?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 44-year-old male. I have a 6.6-inch area of hypodensity within the spleen of uncertain etiology.
A place of vascular compromise is present with infiltrative processes.
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Your 6.6 inch area of hypodensity is of vascular origin, mostly splenic artery infarction (occlusion of the splenic artery).
For this evaluation, an MR (magnetic resonance) angiogram of the abdomen is the best. Also, a metastasis is a second possibility that requires a PET (positron emission tomography) scan of the stomach.
I hope this helps you.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
There is evidence of splenic enlargement, with the spleen reaching over 6.6 inches in length. However, today's evaluation, compared to reports that were taken 11 years back, shows a particular region of hypodensity within the spleen itself, which was not present in the previous evaluation.
The arterial phase does show the spleen, and an area of vascular compromise should be considered. Other etiologies are not excluded. The liver and pancreas appear homogeneous, and the gallbladder shows no evidence of calculus or inflammation.
Also, both kidneys show normal renal function and excretion without hydronephrosis or mass lesions. The aorta is within normal limits, and there is no retroperitoneal mass or adenopathy, but only a small, benign 1.5 cm right adrenal cyst is identified.
Impression:
1. Again, there is evidence of splenomegaly within the spleen reaching 6.6 inches in length. An area of hypodensity within the spleen of uncertain etiology and an area of vascular compromise should be considered with other infiltrative processes.
2. There is no evidence of abdominal or pelvic acute lesion, and there is only a benign 1.5 cm right adrenal cyst present.
One day, I went to the ER (emergency room) because I was suffering from pain under my left rib cage; I had never been in pain like this before. I ran a low-grade fever for a day, and the pain got more intense.
Suddenly, three days later, I got the problem on my back in the same spot as the front, so I went to my family doctor the next day and showed her the reports.
I asked my doctor whether I could take an ultrasound or something to check my spleen, but my doctor said there is no need. Should this condition be taken seriously, or is there no need to worry about it?
Kindly suggest.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thanks for the follow-up.
I feel sorry that you are going through pain. See, most of the spleen hypodensities are harmless, and I agree with your family doctor.
But since you had pain under your left rib and then again the same after three days, I strongly feel that hypodensity is an infarct (blood flow to the spleen is less).
An ultrasound will not give you any further information. I recommend you start taking antiplatelet medications like Aspirin 150 mg (NSAID) once daily. Also, get your lipid profile tested.
And once take a serum amylase test, as pancreatitis can cause the same kind of pain you suffered from.
I hope this helps you.
Take care.
Regards.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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