Yonsei Med J.  2011 Mar;52(2):288-292. 10.3349/ymj.2011.52.2.288.

Splenic Abscess: A Single Institution Study and Review of the Literature

• Lee WS
• Choi ST
• Kim KK

• KMID: 1779665
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2011.52.2.288

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to review our experience with splenic abscesses, with respect to the relevant aspects of splenic abscesses and treatment outcomes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed the cases of 18 patients who had splenic abscesses and who were treated at our hospital from November 1993 to December 2008.
RESULTS
The most common symptom at presentation was abdominal pain in 12 patients (66.7%). The median duration from symptom onset until establishment of a diagnosis was 22 days. Streptococcus viridians was the most common pathogen (27.8%), follow by Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.2%). The mortality rate during the inpatient period and the previous 90 days was 16.6%. Three of four patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a single abscess pocket. Four patients (22.2%) underwent percutaneous drainage, eight (44.5%) recieved antibiotic treatment only and six (33.3%) underwent splenectomy.
CONCLUSION
There is no gold standard for treating splenic abscesses. Treatment should be customized for each patient.

Keyword

Abscess; infection; spleen

MeSH Terms

Abscess/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery/*therapy
Adult
Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
Drainage
Female
Humans
Klebsiella Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Male
Middle Aged
Splenectomy
Splenic Diseases/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology/surgery
Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology/surgery
Treatment Outcome
Viridans Streptococci
Young Adult

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Abdominal CT showing a loculated fluid collection in the lower pole of the spleen

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  Fig. 2 The gross specimen shows splenomegaly. There was a cystic-like structure filled with pus (arrow) on the cross-sectional surface.

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