Splenic abscesses: a review of 20 cases.
Splenic abscesses are rare. We present 20 new cases diagnosed in Denmark from 1982 to 1987. Five cases were diagnosed at autopsy. 10 were initially treated with splenectomy, 1 died. Five were treated with drainage and antibiotics resulting in 1 treatment failure who survived after splenectomy, and 1 death. The incidence of splenic abscesses in Denmark was 0.056% per 1,000 somatic hospital discharges per year or for the 5 cases discovered at autopsy 0.0049% per year of all hospital deaths. Splenic abscess should be suspected in the febrile patient with left upper quadrant tenderness and splenomegaly and the diagnosis confirmed by ultrasonography or computerized tomography. Treatment of choice is still splenectomy and antibiotics although favorable results have been achieved with drainage procedures in combination with antibiotics.
Westh
H
H
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Reines
E
E
Skibsted
L
L
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents