Splenomegaly
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1998 May / Jun VOL VII NO 3.
Dr K Raju
'Cean
The spleen, an ovoid organ 12 cms x10 cms x 3 cms, lies in
the upper left of abdomen, between the stomach and diaphragm, against the lower
floating ribs. It is a pulpy, blood-filled mass and weighs about 250 gms.
The spleen is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body. It remains one
of the mystery organs of the
body, and except for blood vessels and nerves, the spleen has no connection with
any of the other organs.
There are two types of splenic tissues - the white pulp and the red pulp. The
spleen is a centre for the formation of red blood cells until the bones and bone
marrow become well developed in the foetus. Its main function seems to be to
form lymphocytes and monocytes. It acts as a blood bank and releases blood into
the circulation according to the body’s needs. It also performs the function
of a scavenger by removing old and destroyed red blood cells and other particles
from the blood in the adult.
The spleen manufactures all types of blood cells during fetal life and for a
short time after birth. It also plays a part in fighting infection and in the
production of antibodies.
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly is enlargement of the spleen. It may be acute or chronic and is
a typical symptom in a
number of infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid, leukaemia and certain types
of anaemia. This enlargement can be found on palpation and percussion.
CASE
A 19-year old male patient had typhoid fever and was treated by an Allopath. The
patient complained of loss of appetite, tiredness and debility. Blood tested for
Total Bilirubin was 3.5 mg on 9/1/95. Home treatment was taken for the same. He
felt somewhat better. The 2nd blood test for Bilirubin showed 1.9 mg on 12/8/95.
Thereafter he often developed jaundice. An ultrasound scan, taken on the advice
of a gastroenterologist on 14/8/95, found the spleen to be grossly enlarged -
17.6 cm in length.
The patient came for Homoeopathic treatment on 16/9/95 with the following
symptoms :
- Pain in the region of the liver and spleen
- the centre of the lower lip cracked and reddish,
peeling of lip skin with burning.
He was directed not to take tomato, spicy foods, oily substances, meat, fish,
egg, ginger and pickles during the treatment.
Treatment
Ceanothus-americanus Q5 drops TDS with water before meals.
Natrum-sulph 6x 4 tablet TDS after meals. Whenever he felt pain in the liver
region, he was asked to take
Kali-phos 6x and Mag-phos 6x each 4 tablets every 3 hours till the
pain subsided.
Results
22/11/95 Blood test : Bilirubin 0.7 mg. Ultrasound scan : spleen 14.7 cm
long only. During the period of 16/9/95 to 25/11/95 : Homoeopathic treatment -
size of the spleen reduced.
As the above mentioned signs and symptoms had mostly disappeared, the patient
did not turn up for
further check up.
Investigations
| Date | Report |
| 9/1/95 | S Total Bilirubin - 3.5 mgm% |
| 12/8/95 | S Total Bilirubin - 1.9 mgm% |
| 22/11/95 | S Total Bilirubin - 0.7 mgm% |
| 14/8/95 | USG Spleen -17.6 cms |
| 25/11/95 | USG Spleen - 14.7 cms in long axis |
