splenic flexure syndrome

Etiology: - aerophagia Pathology: - trapping of air in the splenic flexure of the colon. Clinical manifestations: 1) sensation of left upper quadrant fullness & pressure 2) radiation to the left side of the chest 3) relief of pain often follows defecation or expulsion of flatus 4) increased tympany in the extreme upper left lateral part of the abdomen Radiology: - plain abdominal X-ray - large amounts of air in the splenic flexure

Related

aerophagia left colic flexure (splenic flexure)

References

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 234