Intrasplenic abscess: two case reports and review of the literature

The occurrence of splenic abscess, sickle cell trait, and drug addiction is described in two patients. The coincidence of sickle cell disease and drug addiction in the possible etiology of splenic abscess should be noted. The first patient had a splenic abscess in the inferior pole of the spleen with signs and symptoms of left upper quadrant peritoneal irritation. The second patient had an intrasplenic abscess in the superior pole with pleuritic type chest pain and large left pleural effusion. In both cases, the upper gastrointestinal series was of aid in establishing the diagnosis. In one case, a splenic scan was helpful. Clostridium perfringens were cultured from the abscess of one patient; and Clostridium species, Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes were cultured from the other. Both patients were successfully treated with splenectomy and drainage of the splenic bed.