The asplenia syndrome: an explanation for absence of the spleen.

Study of a case of the so-called asplenia syndrome with a miniscule spleen suggested that the latter was caused by the pressure of neighboring viscera and interference with blood supply. Consequently, it is considered that splenic disturbance arises independently of the other malformations in this syndrome. It is also possible that similar factors may be operative in the formation of multiple spleens in the polysplenia syndrome.