Partial laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic abscess because of Salmonella infection: a case report

Splenic abscess as a presentation of a Salmonella infection is described in children and adults. A combination of antibiotics and splenectomy is the standard treatment. We report a 12-year-old girl admitted to the hospital with fever, abdominal pain, and anorexia. White blood cell count was 17,900/microL and C-reactive protein level was 230 mg/L; abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scan showed a splenic abscess of 11.3 x 12.9 x 13.8 cm in the upper part of the spleen. She was treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics for 8 days. A week later, she represented with a recurrent abscess and identical symptoms. She was treated with percutaneous drainage and intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics for 21 days followed by oral therapy for another 2 weeks. Abscess culture grew Salmonella type B. Because of a persistent abscess on CT scan, she underwent a partial laparoscopic splenectomy with radiofrequency ablation to preserve functional splenic tissue. The operative and postoperative course was uneventful. Pathologic finding showed an inflammatory cystic reaction without epithelial cell lining. Splenic abscess in children is a rare condition. Long-term antibiotic therapy is needed. Percutaneous drainage can be a temporary solution, but (partial) splenectomy is the final treatment in most cases.