title: Splenic abscess: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.
abstract: The records of five patients treated in our department for splenic abscess are analysed and the literature is reviewed. Computed tomography revealed the correct diagnosis in all patients, while clinical presentation was often nonspecific. Spleen-preserving management was possible in two patients (40%). Outcome was uneventful for four patients. One patient with a splenic abscess caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, died 4 months after splenectomy from sepsis. We discuss the clinical presentation of splenic abscess, its diagnostic approach, and treatment. Additionally, we studied whether spleen-preserving management is feasible or not.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, University Hospital Heraklion, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Bree
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsiftsis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christodoulakis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Harocopos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schoretsanitis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melissas
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014400:Tuberculosis, Splenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery