Splenic abscess

WikiDoc Resources for Splenic abscess
Articles
Most recent articles on Splenic abscess Most cited articles on Splenic abscess Review articles on Splenic abscess Articles on Splenic abscess in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Splenic abscess Images of Splenic abscess Photos of Splenic abscess Podcasts & MP3s on Splenic abscess Videos on Splenic abscess
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Splenic abscess Bandolier on Splenic abscess TRIP on Splenic abscess
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Splenic abscess at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Splenic abscess Clinical Trials on Splenic abscess at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Splenic abscess NICE Guidance on Splenic abscess NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Splenic abscess CDC on Splenic abscess
Books
Books on Splenic abscess
News
Splenic abscess in the news Be alerted to news on Splenic abscess News trends on Splenic abscess
Commentary
Blogs on Splenic abscess
Definitions
Definitions of Splenic abscess
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Splenic abscess Discussion groups on Splenic abscess Patient Handouts on Splenic abscess Directions to Hospitals Treating Splenic abscess Risk calculators and risk factors for Splenic abscess
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Splenic abscess Causes & Risk Factors for Splenic abscess Diagnostic studies for Splenic abscess Treatment of Splenic abscess
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Splenic abscess
International
Splenic abscess en Espanol Splenic abscess en Francais
Business
Splenic abscess in the Marketplace Patents on Splenic abscess
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Splenic abscess

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]

Synonyms and keywords:Abscess of spleen

Overview

Splenic abscess is an uncommon and lifethreatening condition. Clinical presentation, etiological factors, natural history, treatment and prognosis depends on whether the abscess was solitary or multiple. It is always fatal if left untreated. Most commonly associate with immunodeficient patients especially, hematological disorders such as leukemia, sickle cell disease etc.

Definition

Splenic abscess is defined as any infectious suppurative process involving identifiable macroscopic filling defects either in the parenchyma of the spleen or the subcapsular space.

Historical Perspective

• Since the times of Hippocrates, splenic abscess has been reported several times and he described the natural history and prognosis of splenic abscess.
• In the early days of 20th century, splenic abscess most commonly caused by typhoid and then followed by malaria.
• Ooi et al. described significant etiological differences such increase in the percentage of abscess cases due to aenarobics as compared to aerobics (7 vs 18-28%), fungi (1 vs 18-41%) as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (0.8 vs. 14%) in the second half of 20th century.

Classification

Classification by Pathogenesis

Splenic abscess is classified traditionally based on the pathogenesis as follows:

• Hematogenous or Metastatic infection: Seen in endocarditis
• Embolic phenomenon: splenic abscess developed as consequence of cellular embolism in hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia or disease
• Contagious infection: Splenic abscesses can develop through continuity of infection from primary sources which are anatomically close eg. subphrenical abscesses
• Splenic trauma: secondary infections may developed due to splenic trauma
• Depressed immune defenses: chemotherapy-induced abscesses developed particularily in leucemias

Classification by Etiology

Classification of splenic abscesses based on the etiological factors is as follows:

• Mono-microbial abscess
• Poly-microbial abscess
• Sterile abscess