Splenic abscess in an infant caused by Streptococcus intermedius.
We report a 20-month-old girl with splenic abscess. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of persistent high fever and abdominal pain. Laboratory data showed leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein levels. Abdominal computed tomography showed multiple low-density lesions in the spleen. These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of splenic abscess. She was successfully treated with ultrasonographically guided percutaneous drainage for 11 days and intravenous antibiotic for 17 days. On culture, aspirated fluid from the abscess grew Streptococcus intermedius. This case illustrates that the differential diagnosis of unknown-focus infection in infants should include splenic abscess. We recommend conservative therapy (antibiotics and drainage) as first-line therapy for splenic abscess in pediatric patients, based on the importance of the immunological functions of the spleen.
Matsubayashi
Tadashi
T
Department of Pediatrics, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8558, Japan. matr@sis.seirei.or.jp
Matsubayashi
Rie
R
Saito
Isamu
I
Tobayama
Shigeo
S
Machida
Hiromichi
H
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy*; D034367:Streptococcus intermedius / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014054:Tomography; D014463:Ultrasonography