title: Splenic abscess in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis treated with laparoscopic splenectomy.
abstract: Splenic abscess complicating Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) has not been previously described. We report the occurrence of a splenic abscess in a 45-year-old white male suffering from WG. The patient presented with persistent fever and abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed two splenic cystic lesions. Differential diagnosis was splenic hematoma or abscess. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic splenectomy. Pathology revealed a centrally located cavity full of pus and necrotic material. Although there were no signs of active vasculitis, all other histological features were compatible with WG. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and his disease is in remission. Laparoscopic splenectomy appears to be a safe procedure, but its impact on the management of splenic abscess needs to be determined further.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Propedeutic Surgery, University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstandinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Albanopoulos
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Archontovassilis
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alexakis
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pantelidaki
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bramis
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leandros
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*