title: Solitary abscess of the spleen.
abstract: Solitary abscess of the spleen is a potentially lethal condition. It is difficult to diagnose but relatively easy to treat, resulting in cure of the majority of the patients. A case is described to illustrate the important factors in aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment. All cases reported since 1960 are reviewed: the mortality of untreated patients is shown to be 100 per cent. If this condition is successfully diagnosed and treated, without rupture, no patient should die from it.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery