[Splenic abscess: presentation of a case and literature review]

A case of a patient with splenic abscess, a rare pathology, is presented. In large hospitals, no more than 12 cases per year are usually diagnosed and they are only observed in 0.2-0.7% of all necropsies performed in North American hospitals. Its diagnosis is difficult, frequently late and, if untreated, it has a very poor prognosis. Forms of presentation, concomitant diseases, methods of diagnosis and therapeutical alternatives are discussed.