Splenic abscess--a possible complication of endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy

Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy, though a safe and effective therapy for esophageal varices, is not devoid of local and distant complications. We report a patient with postnecrotic cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus who developed a splenic abscess while on a sclerotherapy program. The abscess may have been a consequence of retrograde thrombosis of the portal venous system or of bacteremia following sclerotherapy.