Splenomegaly without an apparent cause.

Twenty-eight patients undergoing splenectomy for splenomegaly of unclear causation are presented. The cause of splenomegaly was determined at splenectomy in seven patients, none of whom had lymphoma. In three additional patients, disease associated with splenomegaly developed in the follow-up period after splenectomy. During the entire follow-up period, only one instance of lymphoma has developed. Especially in young patients who have a history of recent infection, a delay in performing splenectomy for splenomegaly is indicated.