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Published on: February 9, 2011
Splenic abscess in an infant caused by Streptococcus intermedius
Tadashi Matsubayashi1, Rie Matsubayashi, Isamu Saito
1Department of Pediatrics, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8558, Japan. matr@sis.seirei.or.jp
A splenic abscess, a rare infant infection, was successfully treated with antibiotics and drainage. This case highlights the importance of considering splenic abscess in infant infections and recommends conservative therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Abdominal Imaging
- Surgical Intervention
Background:
- Splenic abscess is a rare but serious condition in infants, often presenting with non-specific symptoms.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- A 20-month-old girl presented with persistent high fever and abdominal pain, exhibiting leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein.
- Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple low-density splenic lesions, indicative of a splenic abscess.
Findings:
- The splenic abscess was successfully treated with ultrasonographically guided percutaneous drainage and intravenous antibiotics.
- Cultures of the aspirated fluid identified Streptococcus intermedius as the causative pathogen.
Implications:
- Splenic abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis for unexplained infections in infants.
- Conservative management, including antibiotics and percutaneous drainage, is recommended as first-line therapy for pediatric splenic abscess, preserving spleen function.
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