How is spleen diagnosed?
Diagnosis. An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. Your doctor can often feel it by gently examining your left upper belly. However, in some people — especially those who are slender — a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam.
Can you feel your spleen with your hand?
Bimanual palpation Stand on the patient’s right side and with your left hand, pull the patient’s rib cage anteriorly and palpate for the tip of the spleen (if enlarged) with your right hand as the patient takes a deep breath.
Can you feel an enlarged spleen yourself?
You may not have any symptoms from an enlarged spleen. However, you may: Feel a kind of dull pain on the left side of the abdomen or in your back. Feel full early, so that you can eat only small amounts.
How can I tell if my spleen is enlarged?
Symptoms
- Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder.
- A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach.
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
- Frequent infections.
- Bleeding easily.
How do you check yourself for an enlarged spleen?
Technique
- Start in RLQ (so you don’t miss a giant spleen).
- Get your fingers set then ask patient to take a deep breath.
- When patient expires, take up new position.
- Note lowest point of spleen below costal margin, texture of splenic contour, and tenderness.
- If spleen is not felt, repeat with pt lying on right side.
How can you feel your spleen?
Palpation for splenic enlargement should begin with the patient supine and with knees flexed. Using the right hand, the examiner should begin well below the left costal margin and feel gently but firmly for the splenic edge by pushing down, then cephalad, then releasing (Figure 150.1).
What does inflamed spleen feel like?
Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.