Polysplenia

Polysplenia
Other names: Chaudhrey's disease
Ultrasound image of intrapancreatic accessory spleen
SpecialtyMedical genetics

Polysplenia is a congenital disease manifested by multiple small accessory spleens,[1] rather than a single, full-sized, normal spleen. Polysplenia sometimes occurs alone, but it is often accompanied by other developmental abnormalities. Conditions associated with polysplenia include gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as intestinal malrotation or biliary atresia, as well as cardiac abnormalities, such as dextrocardia.

There are frequent associated congenital anomalies all related to deviations in the development of anatomical asymmetries in early embryonic stages. These conditions considered together are called "polysplenia syndrome".[2]

Associated conditions include heterotaxy syndrome, intestinal malrotation, situs inversus, biliary atresia,[3] and several cardiac malformations.[4] Associated cardiac conditions include dextrocardia, atrial situs ambiguus, ventricular inversion, and VA concordance with left posterior aorta.

Although present, the multiple small spleens are often ineffective; this is termed functional asplenia.

References

  1. ↑ "polysplenia" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  2. ↑ "polysplenia syndrome" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  3. ↑ Goldman, Lee (2011). Goldman's Cecil Medicine (24th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. p. 1013. ISBN 978-1437727883.
  4. ↑ Goldman 2011, pp. 408
Classification
External resources


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