Splenic abscess.

A review of autopsy files and clinical case reports demonstrates two categories of splenic abscess. First, the abscesses discovered at postmortem usually are multiple, small manifestations of widespread, lethal infection in immunologically crippled hosts. A clinical diagnosis seldom is made. Second, the splenic abscesses encountered by the clinician are usually solitary, large, and challenge his diagnostic skills. Recognition is of vital importance, for therapy can be highly successful. Left untreated, the mortality rate is very high. The features, clinical management, and pathogenesis of splenic abscesses are discussed.