Reiculoendothelial system + mechanism of hepatomegaly?

[hautpre]

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Hullo all - given the reticuloendothelial system's role in the spleen, I can understand why splenomegaly occurs in say DIC or polycythemia, but I dont understand the mechanism for hepatomegaly in these conditions, and especially in lymphoma or leukemia (e.g. why do we check for hepatomegaly as well as seplenomeglay in a physical examination of the lymphatic system)?

Is it just to do with congestion backing up from the spleen and affecting the liver?

Thankyou for any info!

 

[TMP-SMX]

The spleen is full of lymphocytes and enlarges during something like mononucleosis.

The other way you get an enlarged spleen is portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis and then venous congestion of the spleen.

 

[Rendar5]

The liver microvasculature and splenic microvasculature are extremely similar. Both are sinusoidal systems, iirc,

 

[TMP-SMX]

One thing to add... They are both sites for extramedullary hematopoiesis in case of some sort of marrow dysplasia.

 

[DocPsychosis]

Is it just to do with congestion backing up from the spleen and affecting the liver?

FYI, venous blood flows from the spleen to liver, not vice versa, so while liver congestion (e.g. cirrhosis or Budd-Chiari) can cause splenomegaly the reverse would not take place.