Melioidosis splenic abscess--an unusual presentation as osteomyelitis of rib.
BACKGROUND
We report an unusual case of splenic melioidosis abscess presenting as osteomyelitis.


METHODS
A 74-year-old nondiabetic gentleman presents with a non-healing left chest wall abscess from osteomyelitis.


METHODS
He underwent rib resection and the infection was found to involve the underlying pleura, lung, adjacent stomach, liver and diaphragm with a splenic abscess. Splenectomy was performed. Histology showed suppurative granulomas and cultures grew Burkholderia pseudomallei.


RESULTS
The patient recovered well with antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Melioidosis should not be forgotten as a cause of chronic suppurative infections in our endemic population.
Department of Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
Y Y
YY
Tan
T
T
Agasthian
C H
CH
Low
B S
BS
Ang
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012272:Ribs; D012846:Singapore; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents