What does polysplenia mean?

Polysplenia is a congenital disease manifested by multiple small accessory spleens. [ from HPO]

What causes polysplenia?

The exact cause of polysplenia has not been defined. The probable hypotheses are embryonic (accelerated curvature of the embryonic body), genetic causes and teratogenic factors [7]. There is slight female preponderance and rare familial association has also been found [7].

What is heterotaxy syndrome?

What is heterotaxy? Heterotaxy is a rare condition where many organs in the body can be formed abnormally, in the wrong position, or even missing. Many children with heterotaxy have complex heart defects, which are often the most challenging problems associated with heterotaxy.

Can you have 3 spleens?

Doctor’s response. Occasionally individuals are born with more than one spleen. In fact, the total amount of splenic tissue in these individuals is about the same as in an individual with a single spleen, but the tissue is separated into two (sometimes more) separate pieces.

How do you treat Polysplenia?

Patients with nonfunctional spleens or asplenia are at an increased risk for infections from encapsulated organisms, which can lead to septicemia and death. Typically, treatment consists of prophylactic antibiotics and immunizations. Malrotation of the intestinal tract can be surgically treated.

How common is Polysplenia?

It is a rare congenital disease initially described by Helwig in 1929 [2], [3]. Since then, few cases were described in the literature with an incidence of 1/250,000 live births [4]. The exact cause of polysplenia has not been clearly defined.

Can your organs be flipped?

This normal arrangement of the organs is known as “situs solitus.” Rarely, the orientation of the internal organs is completely flipped from right to left, a situation known as “situs inversus.” This mirror-image orientation usually does not cause any health problems, unless it occurs as part of a syndrome affecting …

Can you have 2 spleens?

Occasionally individuals are born with more than one spleen. In fact, the total amount of splenic tissue in these individuals is about the same as in an individual with a single spleen, but the tissue is separated into two (sometimes more) separate pieces.

Can a spleen grow back?

Unlike some other organs, like the liver, the spleen does not grow back (regenerate) after it is removed. Up to 30% of people have a second spleen (called an accessory spleen). These are usually very small, but may grow and function when the main spleen is removed.

How is Dextrocardia diagnosed?

Tests to diagnose dextrocardia include:

  1. Chest x-ray.
  2. CT scan of the heart.
  3. Electrocardiogram.
  4. MRI of the heart.
  5. Echocardiogram.

What are the symptoms of left sided polysplenia?

Polysplenia syndrome, or left isomerism (bilateral left-sidedness, also known as Ivemark syndrome ), is characterized by paired left-sided viscera. The hallmark findings of this condition are multiple spleens associated with cardiac anomalies (often ventricular or atrioventricular septal defects and outflow tract abnormalities) and heart block.

What happens to kidneys if you have polycystic kidney disease?

Having many cysts or large cysts can damage your kidneys. Polycystic kidney disease also can cause cysts to develop in your liver and elsewhere in your body. The disease can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and kidney failure.

What are the signs and symptoms of kidney stones?

At that point, you may experience these signs and symptoms: Severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity

How can you tell if you have kidney disease?

You feel the need to urinate more often. If you feel the need to urinate more often, especially at night, this can be a sign of kidney disease. When the kidneys filters are damaged, it can cause an increase in the urge to urinate. Sometimes this can also be a sign of a urinary infection or enlarged prostate in men.