Experience with Splenic Abscess from Southern India

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Abdominal Imaging

Background:

• Splenic abscess is a rare but serious condition with limited recent data from India.
• Understanding the etiological profile and management is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and microbiological profile of splenic abscess.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies, including antimicrobial therapy and percutaneous drainage.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 15 months of case records from a tertiary care hospital.
• Data collection included patient demographics, symptoms, signs, risk factors, investigations (Ultrasound, CT scan), and treatment outcomes.
• Microbiological cultures of pus and blood were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fever was the predominant symptom (90%) in patients with splenic abscess (mean age 33.5 years).
• Common risk factors included HIV, leukemia, and diabetes (55%).
• Escherichia coli was the most frequent organism isolated from pus cultures (22%). Antimicrobials alone were effective in 55% of cases, with percutaneous drainage used in 33%.

Conclusions:

• Early diagnosis and the use of ultrasound-guided procedures like aspiration or drainage can potentially avoid splenectomy.
• Optimal treatment for splenic abscess requires a tailored approach based on individual patient factors.