title: Splenic abscess associated with active infective endocarditis.
abstract: Splenic abscess is a rare complication in infective endocarditis. Here, we present two cases of splenic abscess associated with active infective endocarditis. Body computed tomography before emergency valvular surgery revealed abscess in the spleen. In case 1, the abscess was localized within the spleen; splenectomy and valve replacement were performed through the same median skin incision. In case 2, the splenic abscess was diagnosed as ruptured; valve replacement was performed, followed by splenectomy through a separate skin incision. No recurrence of infection occurred after surgery in either case. In surgical treatment for active infective endocarditis, body computed tomography is essential to diagnose splenic abscess preoperatively. If there is an abscess, then splenectomy and valvular surgery should be performed simultaneously to prevent reinfection after valvular surgery. The approach to the spleen should be individualized according to the extension of the abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shin-Koga Hospital, 120 Tenjin-cho, Kurume, Fukuoka 830-8577, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshikai
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamachi
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Keiji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamohara
authors.forename: Noritoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minematsu
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D000368:Aged; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications*; D016983:Enterococcus; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; D006801:Humans; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis