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Suffered A Stomach Viral Infection. Mild Splenomegaly Found In The Ultrasound. HIDA Scan Advised. Is It Necessary?
Hello, Just had the stomach virus this week. Initially thought it was my gallbladder acting up so saw my doc. He also thought it was my gallbladder as i have had some issues with it after pregnancy (son is 14months). Sent me for ultrasound and bloodwork. Bloodwork was normal. Ultrasound found gallbladder normal but found mild splenomegaly. ( Now that i know what that is, i definitely had the symptoms of it.)
Since my visit, the rest of my family has come down with the stomach virus so now I'm sure that's what I had. However, doc says that would not cause enlarged spleen. He wants me to have the HIDA scan. Since I haven't had any gallbladder issues in quite awhile, I don't really feel it is necessary. My questions are: 1) Can the Norovirus cause splenomegaly, 2) would intermittent cranky gallbladder (with no gall stones and no thickening) cause splenomegaly? 3) what next step would you recommend? Thank you!
Since my visit, the rest of my family has come down with the stomach virus so now I'm sure that's what I had. However, doc says that would not cause enlarged spleen. He wants me to have the HIDA scan. Since I haven't had any gallbladder issues in quite awhile, I don't really feel it is necessary. My questions are: 1) Can the Norovirus cause splenomegaly, 2) would intermittent cranky gallbladder (with no gall stones and no thickening) cause splenomegaly? 3) what next step would you recommend? Thank you!
Wed, 29 May 2013
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
The spleen has different functions in the body and can enlarge in relation to any of these functions.
The spleen is involved in (1) remove infective organisms from the body (2) removing abnormal red blood cells ( the cells that carry oxygen to the parts of the body) (3) producing substances involved in immunity (4) producing red blood cells in some diseases
Though it is involved in immune response, it would not normally enlarge with the stomach virus.
The main causes of increased size of the spleen are:(1) diseases that involve destruction of red blood cells (2) infections such as endocarditis (3) some types of cancer (4) congestion of the spleen for example in liver disease
It may be best to do the investigation suggested by your doctor
I hope this helps
The spleen has different functions in the body and can enlarge in relation to any of these functions.
The spleen is involved in (1) remove infective organisms from the body (2) removing abnormal red blood cells ( the cells that carry oxygen to the parts of the body) (3) producing substances involved in immunity (4) producing red blood cells in some diseases
Though it is involved in immune response, it would not normally enlarge with the stomach virus.
The main causes of increased size of the spleen are:(1) diseases that involve destruction of red blood cells (2) infections such as endocarditis (3) some types of cancer (4) congestion of the spleen for example in liver disease
It may be best to do the investigation suggested by your doctor
I hope this helps
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