Hepatolienal syndrome: symptoms, treatment

"Syndrome" in Greek means "congestion" or "connection." In medicine, this characteristic is given to diseases that have a certain number of recognizable features, often appearing together. Thus, the totality of symptoms before an accurate diagnosis can be safely called a syndrome. One of these conditions is hepatolienal syndrome.

Characteristic

Hepatic-splenic syndrome is the second name of this condition. It is characterized by an increase in the liver and spleen, respectively, the work of these organs is disrupted. Hepatolyenal syndrome occurs in chronic diseases of the hepatobiliary system and disorders of blood circulation in the "portal vein-splenic vein" system.

The venous circulation in the liver and spleen gives an explanation of how these organs are connected and how they affect one another with such a deviation as hepatolyenal syndrome. It is possible to trace the venous connection of these organs.

The main vein is the portal. It collects blood from the spleen and other organs of the abdominal cavity. Then it enters the liver, where it is cleared of harmful toxins and then carries nutrients through the body. Part of the portal vein is splenic, so the spleen is in very close connection with the liver and the processes that occur in it. This explains why the hepatolienne syndrome affects the liver and spleen.

Pathogenesis of hepatolienal syndrome

Disturbance of blood flow can occur due to narrowing the lumen of the portal vein. There is a stagnation of blood and, as a result, an increase in blood pressure. Why is this happening? Here are some reasons:

1. External compression of the portal vein. This can occur both inside the liver and on the hepatoduodenal ligament at the entrance to the organ. In this case, the symptoms of hepatolienal syndrome can be observed with such diseases:

• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Severe form of hepatitis.
• Thrombosis of portal vein and adjacent large veins.
• Primary tumor of liver tissue.
• Heart pathology of the right side of the heart.
• Diseases of the bile ducts, tumors and cysts.
• Thrombosis of hepatic veins.

2. Narrowing of the lumen of the veins:

• Thrombosis of the portal vein and its large branches.
• Thrombosis of the hepatic veins, or Badda-Chiari Syndrome.

In addition to the damaging factors that can cause an increase in the liver and spleen, it can still occur as a defensive reaction to the entry of microbes.

Stages of

There are several stages of hepatolyenal syndrome:

1. The first stage can take several years. The general condition is satisfactory, moderate anemia, leukopenia and neutropenia are observed. The liver is not enlarged, but it becomes much larger than the spleen.
2. The second stage is characterized by a significant increase in the liver. There are signs of a violation of its functionality. May last for several months.
3. The third stage. Its duration is about one year. Characteristically, reduction and consolidation of the liver, anemia increases, there are signs of hypertension, ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, varicose veins of the esophagus.
4. The fourth stage. Characteristic of general exhaustion, swelling and symptoms of bleeding.

Causes

Most often, hepatolyenal syndrome occurs in children.

Causes in children and adults can be different:

• Hereditary diseases.
• Infectious diseases.
• Congenital hemolytic anemia.
• Congenital and acquired diseases of the portal vein, spleen.
• Hemolytic disease in the newborn.
• Chronic alcoholism.

Risk groups and their symptoms

All diseases that can provoke hepatolyenal syndrome can be divided into groups:

1. Acute and chronic liver disease. This group is characterized by pain or feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium, dyspeptic disorders, itching, jaundice. The reasons may be transferred viral hepatitis, contact with infectious patients, trauma or surgery, chronic alcoholism, the use of hepatoxic drugs, acute pains in the abdomen, fever.
2. Disease of accumulation. They are found among members of the same family or close relatives.
3. Infectious and parasitic diseases. Accompanied by a pronounced intoxication, fever, arthralgia and myalgia.
4. Diseases of the cardiovascular system. They are accompanied by tachycardia, ischemic heart disease, accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity, an increase and change in the configuration of the heart.
5. Diseases of blood and lymphoid tissue. For this group are characterized by such signs as weakness, fever, an increase in lymph nodes.

Symptomatics

If the patient has hepatolienal syndrome, the symptoms can be as follows:

1. Enlargement of the liver and spleen. Painful sensations in palpation.
2. Weight loss.
3. The work of the endocrine glands is disrupted.
4. Problems in the digestive tract.
5. Anemia. Pale and dry skin.
6. Possible accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
7. Muscle and joint pain.
8. Yellowing of the protein coat of the eyes.
9. Tachycardia, shortness of breath.
10. Fragility of nails, hair loss.

To make a diagnosis it is necessary to undergo a survey, and for a more detailed analysis of the organs - diagnosis.

Diagnostics

When the above symptoms occur, differential diagnosis of hepatomegaly and hepatolenal syndrome is carried out. To do this, you need to apply a whole range of activities. One of the first items is a general blood test and its biochemical study. To establish the cause of hepatolyenal syndrome, differential diagnosis is simply necessary. Within its framework the following activities are carried out:

• Echography of the liver and spleen, gall bladder, vessels of the abdominal cavity.
• CT scan.
• Scanning of the liver and spleen.
• X-ray examination of the duodenum.
• Laparoscopy.
• Punctual biopsy of the liver and spleen.
• Study of bone marrow and lymph nodes.

At present, science does not stand still and the organ analysis is constantly expanding in the diagnosis of a condition such as hepatolienal syndrome. Differential diagnosis The main disease, taking into account the clinical picture and liver condition With its presence is the main task.

Treatment and complications of the disease

As a rule, therapy of hepatolienal syndrome is to identify the underlying pathological process and its treatment. It is not an independent disease. If you are diagnosed with "hepatolyenal syndrome," the treatment should be led by a gastroenterologist. In this case, hepatoprotectors, antiviral drugs, hormones and vitamins are used. In each case, there should be an individual approach, taking into account the etiology of the disease.

If you miss the disease and do not treat, the prognosis can be deplorable. Complications of this syndrome are cirrhosis of the liver, thrombosis of the liver of the liver, inflammation of the gallbladder, blood diseases. In such cases, removal of segments of the liver and spleen or organ transplantation and blood transfusion is possible.

At the first stage, the patients are able to work and can withstand small physical exertion. In the future, if the situation worsens, the patient becomes disabled.

Prevention

In order not to miss the onset of development of pathology, it is necessary:

• Regularly take blood and urine tests.
• In time, undergo examinations, especially if you are at risk.
• Prevention of hepatolienal syndrome primarily involves fighting the causes that cause liver and spleen diseases.
• It is necessary to comply with the regime of proper nutrition, so that the food contains the necessary amount of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and, of course, vitamins.
• Do not abuse alcohol, smoking and lead a healthy lifestyle.

There are no harmless diseases, and especially if they concern such vital organs as the liver and spleen. Timely detection of problems, and then adequate treatment can yield effective results.