title: [Splenic abscess: presentation of nine cases].
abstract: Relatively rare, splenic abscess is difficult to diagnose and often fatal if left untreated. The disease is thought to be growing in frequency because of the increasing number of inmunocompromised patients. Several mechanisms for the development of splenic abscess may exist. Some studies demonstrate that prior splenic injury in addition to bacteraemia is required for a splenic abscess to occur. In our series, 9 non immunocompromised patients were identified to have this disease during a 6 years period. Pathogens isolated included Salmonella sp, Staphylococcus sp and Enterococcus sp. Splenectomy was performed in three patients; in another a percutaneous drainage was done. One patient died. In summary, though rare, splenic abscess presents with high morbidity and mortality. In our experience, risk factors as immunocompromise seem not to be so prevalent in patients with splenic abscess and therefore this diagnosis should be considered in all patients with fever of unknown origin.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Spain. iago.villamil.cajoto@sergas.es
authors.forename: Iago
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Villamil-Cajoto
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Lado
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van den Eynde-Collado
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Díaz-Peromingo
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012485:Salmonella typhi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents