Tubercular splenic abscess in immunocompetent patients: a rare entity

Indian J Surg. 2009 Aug;71(4):213-5. doi: 10.1007/s12262-009-0051-2. Epub 2009 Sep 2.

Abstract

Splenic abscess is an unusual, potentially life threatening condition associated with septiceamic conditions. Splenic abscess due to tuberculosis is a rare entity, specifically seen in immunocompromised individuals. However splenic tubercular abscess in immunocompetent individuals is rarer. We present two cases of splenic tubercular abscess in immunocompetent persons where a diagnosis of tuberculosis was made after splenectomy. The aim of presenting these cases is to stress the fact that tuberculosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in all cases of splenic abscesses in areas where tuberculosis is endemic.

Keywords: Splenic abscess; Tuberculosis.