Splenic Cyst

Hello @bordercolliecra

I can certainly understand that you are frustrated about the pain as well as the confusion about the reason for the pain. This must be very frustrating.

Does the pulled muscle sound like a possible answer to your pain? Had you done anything in particular that might have pulled a muscle, such as heavy lifting, a car or biking accident, etc.?

Have you ever kept a journal of the pain, noting any intensity (on a zero to 10 scale) at certain times of the day, like after a meal, etc.? This might be helpful as well in presenting a clear picture to your doctor. I am wondering also if the pain keeps you awake at night or if you experience it mainly in the day time?

@hopeful33250 . My pain started 6 months ago. No accident or heavy lifting etc. I have told all the consultants this. The pain is on and off all day. If I wake up in the night on my left side and there is the pain. The ultrasound result wasn't wrong as the CT scan confirmed that it exists.

I so wish that were an answer for this problem, @bordercolliecra. I can imagine how much you wish so as well!

My only thought is to keep on looking for an answer. If previously you have had CT scans, I would consider asking for an MRI. For certain types of problems, an MRI can show more of what is going on.

Do you have follow-up scans and/or MRIs for the spleen scheduled on a regular basis? If not, I would talk with your doc about that given your pain history. Keep advocating for yourself.

@hopeful33250. After talking to my GP today I decided to request a second opinion. He is still saying that my pain could be musculo skeletal but I feel that it is too much of a coincidence not to be the Splenic Cyst. I have spoke to my Lymphoma Specialist nurse and she is going to ask for my case to be reviewed by the Multi Disciplinary Team this week and she will phone me Thursday to tell me what they have said. This team consists of Haematologists from both of my 2 local hospitals and a Radiologist, so a second opinion may not be necessary. She mentioned follow up ultra sounds which is the first time that this course of action has been mentioned.

Hi @bordercolliecra,

Thank you so much for the update! I am so glad that you are getting some other opinions. The follow up ultra sounds also sounds like a good thing. Follow up tests for chronic problems like yours seems like the very least that needs to be done and ultrasounds are safer than other types of test.

I hope that the Multi Disciplinary Team can help with some additional answers.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

@hopeful33250. Hi. The Multi Disciplinary Team met and discussed my case. They reviewed my PET scan from 2012 and saw that the cyst was there then, although smaller (I had a PET scan as I had an extra nodal lymphoma tumour on my scalp). It was decided that no further action is needed - not even a follow up Ultra Sound - I will argue about that at my next appointment in May. I have seen a physio about the pain. He has given me a few exercises to do at home. He feels a muscular tension in the area but doesn't know why. Too much of a coincidence for my liking. I feel I am not in danger at the moment and am willing to carry on with physio to see if the pain improves. Hope this helps anyone else who is diagnosed with a Splenic Cyst.

I so appreciate your updates, @bordercolliecra .

That is unfortunate that you still have no real answer for the pain. I'll be interested in hearing what approach the physio takes in relieving the pain.
Keep advocating for yourself. I look forward to hearing from you again.

@hopeful33250 Hi I am doing a few exercises that the physio gave me to stretch some muscles and release my middle back. Waiting for a chest xray that was supposed to have been requested in November by the gastroenterologist.

I'm very interested in how they physio work goes as well. I've had pain for about 6 years in this same area and they found a very small cyst in my spleen last summer (follow up CT to be done in February to see if it has grown). The surgeon I saw wasn't convinced that a very small cyst in the middle of my spleen would cause the pain. I've been seeing a physio for neck and shoulder pain and I asked him to take a look at this "spleen" pain. He asked a ton of questions and then did a fairly long assessment, then he did some hands on work in the area, but on the back (my pain is normally in the front left, just under my left breast). He was able to recreate the pain somewhat by what he was doing. Two nights later I had the worst bout of pain (same area, but also in the back) that I'd ever had. It was also the first time that I could "create" the pain by movement. It did subside over the next couple of days. When I went back to see the physio he said that "if we can make it hurt, we can make it better"...meaning that if what he did flared up the pain, then we may be on the right track. This was all just last week, so it's a work in progress. I'm interested in how it works for you and I'll post more as we keep working on mine. Good luck.

Hello, I am a 42 yr. old Female . In June 2018 I had a MRI of the abdomen which showed a 15mm cyst on the spleen. In November 2018 I had a follow up MRI which showed the spleen cyst had doubled in size to 33mm. I had an abdominal ultrasound on January 4th, 2019, and the cyst on the spleen is now 36mm ( 3.6cm). The Gastroenterologist said to wait and see if the cyst continues to grow. If the cyst is bigger in 3 months , then he will refer me to a surgeoen to see if a splenectomy is needed. From November 2017 to November 2018 I had constant pain under my left breast/ rib area. My primary doctor could not figure out the cause. Now that I know about the enlarging spleen cyst, the pain is likely from the spleen cyst. While I am waiting for the next ultrasound test in April 2019, I am trying to get some second opinions if a splenectomy is iminent, or what the best treatment is.