Abdominal Injury : Ruptured Spleen

The spleen is the most commonly injured organ in instances of blunt trauma to the abdomen (motor vehicle accidents). The spleen, is a very vascular organ and can bleed profusely if it is injured. The location of the spleen is in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, beneath the rib cage. Injury resulting from a blunt force to this area (kick, fall, seatbelt, etc.) could cause damage to the spleen. Left lower chest injuries, particularly those which fracture ribs 8, 9, or 10, can also result in rupture of the spleen. Common symptoms of spleen injury include: persistent left upper quadrant abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness upon standing, or fainting. Signs and symptoms of hemorrhagic shock are common. The left upper quadrant abdominal pain may increase in severity with deep breathing, and can be accompanied by pain in the left shoulder ("Kerr's sign"). In the more serious cases, patients often have a rapid pulse (greater than 100 beats per minute) and low blood pressure. More uncommonly, the patient will claim very little discomfort at the time of the injury, but will develop increasing severity of left upper quadrant abdominal pain within 4-6 hours.

Evaluation will include physical examination to check blood pressure and pulse. The finding of tenderness to palpation in the left upper quadrant suggests spleen injury. Complete blood count will be performed to help assess blood loss. CT-scanning of the abdomen can reveal splenic injuries with an x-ray. Unstable patients, with classic symptoms and findings often go directly to surgery for exploration and repair. Peritoneal lavage is helpful in determining need for surgical intervention. Hospitalization with close observation is necessary for suspected splenic injuries. Children with minor spleen injuries can often be managed nonsurgically. Due to the spleen's role in fighting infection, the spleen is removed only in cases where significant trauma has occurred. The General Surgeon is the expert in the management of this problem.

Hope this article will provide you information about abdominal injury :ruptured spleen.


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12 Hip Fracture
12 Insect Stings and Spider Bites
12 Human and Animal Bites
12 Shoulder Injury Fracture
12 Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
12 Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation
12 Kidney Injury
12 Knee Injury General Considerations
12 Knee Injury Contusion
12 Knee Injury Fracture
12 Knee Injury Sprain
12 Stab Wounds
12 Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions
12 Leg Injury Shin Splints
12 Lightning Injury
12 Oral and Tongue Injuries
12 Nasal Fracture or Contusion
12 Neck Injury General Considerations
12 Neck Injury Fracture
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Pelvic Bone Fracture
12 Puncture Wounds
12 Chest Injury Rib Fracture
12 Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury
12 Scorpion Bites
12 Abrasion Injuries
12 Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture
12 Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains
12 Snakebite
12 Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury
12 Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen
12 Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain
12 Vaginal or Vulvar Injury
12 Drowning and Near Drowning

INJURIES

Abdominal Injury
Abdominal Injury: Contusion
Abrasion
Amputations
Animal Bites
Ankle Fracture
Ankle Injury
Ankle Injury: Contusion
Ankle Sprain
Back Injury
Back Injury : Sacrococcygeal Injury
Back Strain
Burns
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Chemical Burns
Chest Injuries
Chest Injury: Aortic Rupture
Chest Injury: Hemothorax
Chest Injury: Myocardial Contusion
Chest Injury : Pneumothorax
Chest Injury: Pulmonary Contusion
Chronic Back Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Compression Fractures
Contusions
Decompression Sickness
Disc Disease
Gunshot Wounds
Hand Injury: Fingertip Amputations
Head Injury
Liver Injury
Marine Stings
Muscle Strains
Rib Fracture
Ruptured Spleen
Shoulder Injury: A-C Separation
Spider Bites
Spinal Cord Injury
Sternum Fracture
Testicular Injury
Wrist Injury
hi Scuba Related Injuries
i Hand Injury Finger Amputaion
de Lecerations
de Cold Injury and Hypothermia
dd Dental Injury
xs Facial Injury
sdf Neck Injury
e Shoulder Injury Dislocation
e Ear Injury
ed Elbow Injury
de Elbow Injury Fracture
dfe Elbow Injury Nursemaids
ee Electrical Injury
de Eye Injury
ed Facial Injury General Considerations
fr Facial Injury Contusion
ed Hand Injury Finger Sprains
ded Fingernail and Toenail Injuries
dd Hand Injury Fractures
23 Head Injury Skull Fracture and Concussion
44 Chest Injury Myocardial Contusion
fde Heat Illness
ed Hest Injury Hemothorax
y Back Injury Disc Disease
;l High Altitude Illness


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