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Hi,my 22 Year Old Son Last Week Took Part In
Question: Hi,my 22 year old son last week took part in sporting activity which required some what use of stomach muscles. he woke up next morning with sharp pain in left side of stomach below rib cage. We went to clinic and they checked all vitals which were excellent. They did sonogram where everything appeared normal but spleen was mildly enlarged at 14.2 cm. Two weeks prior he had just had strep throat with an ear infection which was treated with antibiotics. He has had no weight loss or fever. No other symtoms at all including no swollen glands of any type. They prescribed anti biotics and a steroid(In case pulled muscle I guess). After three days all pain gone but he is finishing anti biotics.He has no history of colds or being sick and is very healthy. The thing that scared us and has my son very worried is that the clinic rep said at the end,"You know an enlarged spleen can be sign of leukemia or lymphoma." No my son is very worried. He is scheduled for blood test. My neighbor who is a retired surgeon told me the rep should never had made that statement. I am just trying to ease my son's mind and mine.
Brief Answer:
Reassurance
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for sending your question.
I can appreciate that you and your family and your son are experiencing significant anxiety in light of the concern that was raised. I am wondering why this particular individual might have indicated a concern for something very speculative such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Most important for you to understand is that there is significant variability in the size of the spleen as measured by a sonogram or ultrasound. 14.2 cm might be technically slightly large but does not define any type of disease process.
There are a multitude of certain things that can cause a slight enlargement of the spleen. This includes any type of infection. Most often in young patients this week and become significantly enlarged, much larger than your son has demonstrated, in the case of something like infectious mononucleosis.
I suspect that the ultrasound findings was incidental. By incidental I mean that it is most likely not representative of some type of significant illness which might include leukemia or lymphoma.
At the same time, I think it is important for you to follow up. I would discuss this with your sons primary care physician. His primary care doctor may consider repeating an ultra sound in a few weeks to make sure it is stable.
In the absence of other worrisome symptoms which might include fevers, chills, weight loss, night sweats, significant laboratory abnormalities or other symptoms, my suspicion is that this ultrasound findings of mild spleen enlargement it’s not something to worry about.
Again I would talk about it with your sons primary doctor. A followup ultra sound is the most common thing we would probably do other than maybe some basic laboratory tests.
Please do not hesitate to get back to me with any updates or concerns that you might have.
Thank you for reaching out to our service. I hope this has provided you the education and reassurance that you might need.
Sincerely,
Dr Galamaga
Reassurance
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for sending your question.
I can appreciate that you and your family and your son are experiencing significant anxiety in light of the concern that was raised. I am wondering why this particular individual might have indicated a concern for something very speculative such as leukemia or lymphoma.
Most important for you to understand is that there is significant variability in the size of the spleen as measured by a sonogram or ultrasound. 14.2 cm might be technically slightly large but does not define any type of disease process.
There are a multitude of certain things that can cause a slight enlargement of the spleen. This includes any type of infection. Most often in young patients this week and become significantly enlarged, much larger than your son has demonstrated, in the case of something like infectious mononucleosis.
I suspect that the ultrasound findings was incidental. By incidental I mean that it is most likely not representative of some type of significant illness which might include leukemia or lymphoma.
At the same time, I think it is important for you to follow up. I would discuss this with your sons primary care physician. His primary care doctor may consider repeating an ultra sound in a few weeks to make sure it is stable.
In the absence of other worrisome symptoms which might include fevers, chills, weight loss, night sweats, significant laboratory abnormalities or other symptoms, my suspicion is that this ultrasound findings of mild spleen enlargement it’s not something to worry about.
Again I would talk about it with your sons primary doctor. A followup ultra sound is the most common thing we would probably do other than maybe some basic laboratory tests.
Please do not hesitate to get back to me with any updates or concerns that you might have.
Thank you for reaching out to our service. I hope this has provided you the education and reassurance that you might need.
Sincerely,
Dr Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I want to thank you for your response reference my son. It was reassuring and now that I have even learned more I don't know why at that point those illnesses were even mentioned. We are awaiting results from lab work via our primary physician and he too was not overly concerned about it. He also stated if lab is okay then he will just reschedule ultra sound in a few weeks as you also stated. He also advised me not to return to that clinic we had gone too because he didn't care for the procedure they followed. Anyway hopefully all will be well.
Thank you again for your assistance!
Thank you again for your assistance!
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Thank you for the update. I am almost certain that there will be no problems at all.
I wish you and your family all the best and continued good health. Please do not hesitate to reach out again if any healthcare concerns arise.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Followup
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Thank you for the update. I am almost certain that there will be no problems at all.
I wish you and your family all the best and continued good health. Please do not hesitate to reach out again if any healthcare concerns arise.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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