[Etiologic profile of hyperspleenism at the University Hospital of Brazzaville].

AIM: etiologic aspect and indication of splenectomy for Hyperspleenism.

METHODS

A retrospective survey was performed at the haematology ward of the University Hospital of Brazzaville on files that were compiled from January 1st, 1994 to December 31st, 2004.

RESULTS

74 patients presenting Hypersplenism were identified, that were characterised by splenomegalia associated with multiple cytopenia of blood cells. This list of patients included 41 female and 33 male, with an overall average age of 34 years. The etiologic profile is established based on clinical and laboratory parameters. Thus, haemograms, liver enzymes, microbiology, histopathology, including or not spleenectomy were determined to establish the etiologic profile. Splenomegalia was often large and cytopenia was frequently severe. The profile shows a highest rate of lymphoproliferative disease (48 cases; 64.6%), including lymphomas and tricholeucocytic leukaemia.

CONCLUSION

Cirrhoses, hemoglobinopathies, and HIV infections were among the other causes of the disease. In spite of the disease. In spite of the risk associated with splenectomy, this surgical procedure enabled to establish diagnosis and allowed correction of the Hyperspleenism. In conclusion, all splenomegalia associated with blood cytopenia should always submitted to exploratory scrutiny.