Gaucher disease description includes an enlarged spleen; which organs are primarily affected?

Gaucher disease description includes an enlarged spleen; which organs are primarily affected?

• A. Spleen and liver
• B. Lungs and pancreas
• C. Heart and brain
• D. Bones and joints

Answer: (A)

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder where lipid-laden macrophages infiltrate the reticuloendothelial system. The organs most prominently involved are the spleen and liver, leading to hepatosplenomegaly. The spleen enlarges due to infiltration by Gaucher cells and may become enlarged enough to cause hypersplenism; the liver enlarges for the same reason. This pattern explains why an enlarged spleen is described alongside involvement of the liver as the primary affected organs. Bones and joints are commonly affected clinically, but they are not primary sites of organ enlargement. Lungs, pancreas, heart, and brain can be involved in other, especially neuronopathic forms, but they are not the typical pair of organs described as being primarily affected with splenomegaly in the abdominal context.

Gaucher disease is a lysosomal storage disorder where lipid-laden macrophages infiltrate the reticuloendothelial system. The organs most prominently involved are the spleen and liver, leading to hepatosplenomegaly. The spleen enlarges due to infiltration by Gaucher cells and may become enlarged enough to cause hypersplenism; the liver enlarges for the same reason. This pattern explains why an enlarged spleen is described alongside involvement of the liver as the primary affected organs. Bones and joints are commonly affected clinically, but they are not primary sites of organ enlargement. Lungs, pancreas, heart, and brain can be involved in other, especially neuronopathic forms, but they are not the typical pair of organs described as being primarily affected with splenomegaly in the abdominal context.