A subcapsular splenic hematoma is a very rare hemorrhagic complication of pancreatitis. We report here on a case of pseudocyst with a large subcapsular splenic hematoma in a 43-year-old man who presented with severe left flank pain for one week. Despite the initial conservative treatment consisting of pain control, bowel rest, intravenous fluids and antibiotics, the pain was not relieved. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed, and it showed a pseudocyst that was increasing in size with a large subcapsular splenic hematoma measuring 6x13 cm compared to the images at admission. Ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous drainage was performed without any complications, and splenectomy was avoided. After the discharge, the patient remained asymptomatic for eight months. We suggest that percutaneous drainage of a large subcapsular hematoma complicating pancreatitis might be a useful treatment option in selected patients.
Adult ; *Drainage ; Hematoma/complications/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Pancreatitis/complications ; Splenic Diseases/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A subcapsular splenic hematoma is a very rare hemorrhagic complication of pancreatitis. We report here on a case of pseudocyst with a large subcapsular splenic hematoma in a 43-year-old man who presented with severe left flank pain for one week. Despite the initial conservative treatment consisting of pain control, bowel rest, intravenous fluids and antibiotics, the pain was not relieved. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed, and it showed a pseudocyst that was increasing in size with a large subcapsular splenic hematoma measuring 6x13 cm compared to the images at admission. Ultrasonography (US)-guided percutaneous drainage was performed without any complications, and splenectomy was avoided. After the discharge, the patient remained asymptomatic for eight months. We suggest that percutaneous drainage of a large subcapsular hematoma complicating pancreatitis might be a useful treatment option in selected patients.
Adult ; *Drainage ; Hematoma/complications/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Pancreatitis/complications ; Splenic Diseases/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a cough and abdominal discomfort. CT scan of the chest showed two lesions across both lungs, and an abdominal CT scan revealed multiple hypodense lesions in the spleen with cystic lesions on the splenic hilum. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy found creamy yellowish discharge through a fistula between the stomach and splenic hilum. Under fluoroscopic guidance, forceps was inserted into the fistula tract, and forcep biopsy was done. The pathology was consistent with tuberculosis, and a nine-month anti-tuberculosis medication regimen was started. Imaging performed three months after finishing medication indicated improvement of splenic lesions, and the gastro-splenic tract was sealed off. This case is a very rare clinical example of secondary splenic tuberculosis with a gastro-splenic fistula formation in an immunocompetent patient.
Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use ; Fluoroscopy ; Gastric Fistula/pathology ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spleen/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Splenic Diseases/*diagnosis/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Splenic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/microbiology ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: A splenic abscess is a rare disease, but appears to be increasing in frequency. The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis, effective antibiotics treatment and surgical management when needed. This study was intended to clarify the clinico-pathological and radiological findings of splenic abscesses from their therapeutic aspects. METHODS: Between Jan. 1993 and Dec. 2003, the outcomes of 8 splenic abscess patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 6: 2, with a mean age of 57 years, ranging from 34 to 70 years. Predisposing conditions were identified in 7, including diabetes mellitus, steroid medication, chronic alcoholism, infective endocarditis and lymphoma. As chief complaints, fever/chills was present in 2, left upper quadrant pain/tenderness in 4, diffuse abdominal pain in 1 and dyspnea in 1, with leukocytosis found in 6 (75%). Ultrasonography or computed tomography detected left pleural effusion, splenomegaly and splenic abscess in 7 (88%). The solitary to multiple ratio was 2: 6. An emergency laparotomy for peritonitis detected a solitary abscess rupture in 1. The original site of infection was detected in 5, including endocarditis, dental abscess, urinary tract infection and pancreatitis in 2. Blood cultures were positive in 3 (43%), with Escherichia coli in 1 and Streptococcus viridans in 2. 3 (75%) of 4 specimens had positive culture results, including Pseudomonas, Streptoccus viridans and Enterococcus. 1 (25%) had pathogens identical to bacteria isolated form the blood culture. 1 was identified as mixed infection, with actinomycosis. A splenectomy was performed in 5, including 2 with a distal pancreatectomy, intraoperative fine needle aspiration in a lymphoma and endoscope-guided aspiration in a gastrosplenic fistula. One lymphoma patient, with multiple abscesses, died of aspiration pneumonia during chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: A splenic abscess is rare, and failure of early diagnose and institution of treatment is fatal. Although patients have various underlying diseases, a splenic abscess can develop arising from a dental abscess in a healthy man. Percutaneous drainage may not be suitable for multiple or hilar locations; therefore, a splenectomy, with appropriate antibiotics, is the definitive treatment. A less-invasive treatment modality can be considered, taking into account the patient's clinical situation from an immunological aspect for preservation of the spleen.
Abdominal Pain ; Abscess* ; Actinomycosis ; Alcoholism ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Coinfection ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Endocarditis ; Enterococcus ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Leukocytosis ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatitis ; Peritonitis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Pseudomonas ; Rare Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Schools, Medical* ; Spleen ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Diseases ; Splenomegaly ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Viridans Streptococci