Splenic abscess

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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 anaerobics 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 disease
• Contagious infection: Splenic abscesses can develop through continuity of infection from primary sources which are anatomically close (e.g. subphrenic abscesses)
• Splenic trauma: secondary infections may developed due to splenic trauma
• Depressed immune defenses: chemotherapy-induced abscesses developed particularily in leukemias

Classification by Etiology

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

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

Pathophysiology

Splenic abscess can result from various sources such as:

Pathogenic Mechanism	Discription
Hematogenous Dissemination	Hematogenous Dissemination or arterial dissemination is the most common mode of infection that results in splenic abscess. It is a metastatic infection through hematologic seeding from distant infections such as infective endocarditis, purulent teeth-related infections and urinary tract infections Most common organism involved is Staphylococcs aureus Often results in multiple abscesses Sources of pathogen Intra-abdominal sepsis especially after bowel surgery Chest infection Osteomyelitis Infected vascular access sites Infected ventriculoperitoneal shunts Skin lesions Tooth extraction
Secondary infection of splenic infarction	Embolic or thrombotic non-infectious events due to red cell abnormalities such as hemolytic and sickle cell anemia causes ischemia followed by superinfection of emboli which tend to obstruct free blood flow and oxygen delivery to the spleen on the microscopic level. Sources of emboli: Cardiac arrhythmia Bacterial endocarditis Lipid embolization with Weber-Christian disease Iatrogenic splenic artery embolization for the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia Source of thrombus formation in splenic artery Sickle cell disease Hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia Unexplained thrombocytosis After pancreatitis
Contiguous spread of bacteria	It is a mode of infection spread to the spleen from anatomically neighboring structures such as stomach or large bowel perforation, infected pancreatic cyst, perisplenic or subpleuric abscess. Can cause either solitory or multiple abscesses
Trauma	secondary infections may developed due to splenic trauma during any intra-abdominal procedures. Iatrogenic causes of splenic truma Gastric surgery Distal pancreatectomy Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography Percutaneous nephrostomy Therapeutic splenic arterial embolization for autoimmune hemolytic anemia and hypersplenism During splenic conservative techniques such as exploration only, mesh splenorraphy
Immunodeficiency	It is major factor involved in the course of splenic abscess especially if the causative organism is fungi or any other atypical organism. Common immunodeficient states associate with splenic absecess Systemic lupus erythematosus Felty’s syndrome End-stage renal disease Infectious mononucleosis Cancers like multiple myeloma and leukemia chemotherapy-induced abscesses developed particularily in leukemias Immunosuppressive therapy with renal transplantation

Causes

Spleenic abscess is caused mostly by monomicrobial but some times it can be caused by polymicrobial agents. Bacteria is more common than other microbial agents such as fungi, protozoa which can cause splenic abscess in immunocompromised patients.

Common causes

Common causes of splenic abscess includes:
Aerobes are the most predominant organisms causing splenic abscess in 50% of cases.

Aerobes	Anaerobes	Fungal
Staphylococcus species Salmonella species Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae Pseudomonas aeruginosa Enterococcus species Mycobacterium	Bacteroides Actinomyces Propionibacteriums species Clostridium Fusobacterium	Candida albicans Candida tropicalis Aspergillus

Less common causes

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Differentiating Splenic abscess from Other Diseases

Splenic abscess should be differented from other causes of left upper quadrent pain:

• Splenic cysts
• Splenic infarct
• Splenic hematomas
• Peri splenic abscess

Difference between Solitary abscess and Multiple septic abscesses

Characteristic	Solitary abscess	Multiple septic abscesses
Presentation	Common presentation is fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting with signs of left upper abdominal quadrant tenderness, splenomegaly, left pleural effusion, and leukocytosis	Most commonly present with generalized sepsis because of an ineradicable septic focus remote from the spleen
Caueses	Intravenous drug abuse Iatrogenic operative trauma to the spleen Direct extension from an extrasplenic focus Bacterial endocarditis Mastoiditis	Bacteroides Pseudomonas Serratia Enterobacter Klebsiella Escherichia coli Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus viridans Candida infection
Pathological findings	Gross findings: Enlarged spleen with due to large solitary abscesses with thick wall around the abscess to prevent dissemination is seen Microscopic findings: Microscopically the abscess consist of necrotic tissue with a fibrous wall surrounded by inflammatory cell infiltration.	Gross findings: At the time of autopsy, spleen present as large and soft, and pus extruded organ from the cut surface. Microscopic findings: Multiple microscopically visible foci of infection riddled homogeneously throughout the spleen Abscesses are filled with polymorphonuclear leukocytes which were scattered throughout the parenchyma, intermixed with other foci of microinfarction and coagulation necrosis
Complications		Pneumonia and pulmonary abscess Uncontrolled nonsplenic abdominal suppuration Bacterial endocarditis Septicemia Immunosuppression with septicemia Meningoencephalitis
Treatment of choice	Best initial treatment is percutaneous drainage. If recurrent or not responding to combination of anti microbial therapy and drainage, then most appropriate treatment is splenectomy.	Splenectomy
Outcome		Most of the patient died of sepsis even though splenic infection had been eliminated

Difference between Bacterial abscess and Fungal abscess of spleen

Characteristic	Bacterial Cause	Fungal Cause
Presentation	Common presentation is fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Signs of sepsis is common bacterial cause.	Similar presentation but signs of sepsis are rare
Risk factors		Common risk factors for splenic abscess due to fungal infection: Chemotherapy Long term corticosteroid treatment Neutropenia Antibiotic therapy for over 3 weeks Colonization of digestive tract by fungi
Common causes		Most common etiological include: Candida albicans Candida tropicalis Aspergillus fumigatus
Lab findings		Elevated leukocytes ± Elevated ESR Elevated alkaline phosphatase to 200-500 IU/L
Treatment	Splenectomy is the most appropriate treatment of choice despite high complication rate.	Medical therapy Amphotericin B for 6-24 weeks Surgery No surgery is usually required as treatment with Amphotericin B is more efficacious than surgery During percutaneous drainage amphotericin B is administered directly into the abscess cavity

Risk Factors

Spleen abscess often co-exists with several risk factors, but the major one is the patient’s immunodeficiency. Common risk factors of splenic abscess include:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Immunocompromised conditions such as AIDS
• Intensive care unit patients
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Concomitant parenchymal liver disease such as cirrhosis
• Malignancies
• Trauma
• Pre-existing splenic pathology such as splenic cysts, hemangiomas.

Screening

No specific screening test for splenic abscess.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Natural History

Splenic abscess is a rare cause of abdominal abscesss, but life-threatening. Because of it's rarity, splenic abscess usually diagnosed at the late stages or after the onset of complications. Early diagnosis, prompt treatment can prevent complications. Mortality rate is very high if left untreated.

Complications

Life threatening complications:

• Septic shock
• Death

Common complications:

• Bacterial sepsis or septicemia
• Respiratory complications such as post operative pneumonia
• Splenic rupture and peritonitis
• Fistula formation with abscess

Less common complications:

• Wound infection
• Paralytic ileus
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Meningitis

Prognosis

Prognosis of splenic abscess depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment. Delay in the management can lead to splenic rupture followed by spilling into peritoneal cavity or an adjacent organ which can lead to septicemia and death in severe cases.

Association

Splenic abscess is commonly associate with:

• Paranchymal liver disease
• Pancreatitis
• Pleural effusion
• Renal cysts
• Ovarian cysts
• Abdominal lymphadenopathy

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

Splenic abscess commonly present with a triad of symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain along with palpable spleen on examination. Early diagnosis with imaging studies and prompt drainage is required to reduce morbidity and mortality. Presence of fever, left upper abdominal pain, leukocytosis and radiologic evidence shows pathology in the left chest X-ray especially in immunocompromised patients are the indications for high suspicion of splenic abscess.

History and Symptoms

Common symptoms of splenic abscess include:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain localized in the left upper quadrant or mesogastrium
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constitutional symptoms such as fatigue, loss of body weight, sweat and chills

Other symptoms include:

• Referred pain in the left shoulder
• Confusion
• Pain in the lower half of the chest
• Cough

Appearance

Patient with splenic abscess appear ill appearing and diaphoretic

Vital signs

• High-grade fever
• Hyperthermia
• Tachycardia

If patient present with sepsis:

• Hypotension
• Tachycardia
• Increased capillary refill time

Signs of sepsis indicate that splenic abscess is most likely due to bacterial cause than fungal source.

Heart

• New onset murmur may be present

Abdomen Palpation

• Tender splenomegaly
• Palpable spleen or abdominal mass

Auscultation

• Friction rub over the spleen

Blood Tests

Blood tests such leukocytosis are increased but not significant in the diagnosis of splenic abscess because these tests may not be appropriate in immunocompromised patients.

• CBC with differential
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Microbiological tests: In solitary abscesses blood culture is not sensitive in the initial stages when as in multiple abscesses it is helpful in prompt diagnosis and early treatment.
  • Gram stain
  • Bacterial culture
• Mycological tests

Imaging

As the clinical features of splenic absecess are non specific and vague such as abdominal pain, fever and vomiting, that makes diagnosis is challenging and relied on imaging modalities. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, computerized tomography made the diagnosis early and more accurate that reduces morbidity and mortality.

Chest X- ray	Ultrasound	Computerized tomography	Other diagnostic studies
			Scintigraphic studies	Arteriography
Advantages High sensitivity Directly points to pathological changes It is the first line of examination for patients suspected of an ongoing infection Can determine phrenic/ diaphragmatic dome positioning and air-fluid level in the left hypochondrium Common x- ray findings includes: Elevated and immobile left diaphragm Ipsilateral pleural effusion Atelectalic and inflammatory changes in interior lung lobe	Advantages Emergency radiography with high sensitivity (75-100%) Non invasive Cost effective Determine the size of the spleen, size of the abscess, its location and echogenicity	Computerised tomography with contrast is both diagnostic and therapeutic test of choice for splenic abscess. Advantages High sensitivity (88-100%) Can differentiate unolocular and multilocular abscesses Can identify the contents of abscess Can determine the density index of abscess. Can differentiate splenic abscess from splenic cysts and splenic hematomas More precise and accurate than ultrasonography, in identifying the location of abscess in relation to other internal organs during per-cutaneous drainage. It is superior to all other diagnostic tests for splenic abscess.	Scintigraphic studies include technetium-99m liver and spleen scans, gallium scans, and indium scans. Splenic scan is diagnostic modality to identify abscesses which relies upon splenic uptake of the radionuclide 99m technetium which shows abscess as a negative or filling defect. Advantages High specificity: If patient showing high suspicion of splenic abscess and scan supports the diagnosis, then splenectomy can be performed. Disadvantages: Scan can not identifie or visualize incurable small abscesses. Less sensitive: If the scan shows negative or equivocal results for splenci abscess but clinical suspicion remains, an arteriogram should be ordered.	Arteriography is the technique that involves injection of contrast material through a catheter passed retrograde into the splenic artery followed by rapid exposure of sequential x-ray films which shows abscesses as filling defects in the spleen. Advantages: More reliable and precise than splenic scan in diagnosing small abscesses. Disadvantages: Invasive technique

Diagnostic Evaluation of Splenic abscess

Suspicion of splenic abscess (Patients with immunodeficiency disorders, fever, changes in chest X-ray, abdominal pain)

Blood culture

Patient with immunodeficiency disorders?

If immunodeficent patient Initiate wide spectrum antibiotics + antifungal medication

If immunocompetent patient Initiate wide spectrum antibiotics

Ultrasound of abdominal cavity, CT scan with contrast

Presence of indications for minimally invasive procedures

Absence of indications for minimally invasive procedures

Aspiration or abscess drainage under US or CT guidance

Abscess cavity content culture, modification of antibiotic therapy according to culture results; Prolonged antibiotic therapy

If ineffective drainage or recurrent abscess

Spleenectomy or Open abscess drainage

Abscess cavity content culture, modification of antibiotic therapy according to culture results; Prolonged antibiotic therapy

Treatment

Surgery

Treatment of splenic abscess depends on etiology. In bacterial abscesses, splenectomy combined with post-operative antibiotic therapy is the most appropriate treatment of choice with least mortality rate when compared to percutaneous drainage or antimicrobial therapy.

Percutaneous Drainage

Splenectomy

Percutaneous drainage is the initial tretament of choice for splenic abscess, even though splenectomy is the definitive treatment because of increased risk of infections in splenectomised patient. It is genereally done under the guidance of imaging studies such as ultrasound or computerised tomography and under the guidence of imaging efficy of percuteneous drainage is equivalent to splenectomy. First line of treatment for splenic abscess Safe and effective than surgery in both unilocular and bilocular abscesses, especially in peripherally located abscesses. Preferred in critically ill patient and patients unfit for general anesthesia Advantages Preserves spleen. So, it become the the treatment of choice in children to prevent post-splenectomy septicemia No abdominal spillage of abscess contents Less expensive, high acceptance rate and less operative risk Complications Splenic haemorrhage Injury to other abdominal organs Septicemia Empyema Pneumothorax Fistula formation Deep vein thrombosis Contraindications or limitations Multiple or septated abscesses Anatomically inaccessible for drainage such as upper pole or hilar of the spleen, Uncontrolled coagulopathies Ascites Simultaneous surgical procedure required of other indications such as subphrenic abscess Abscess perforation or bleeding Refractoriness to abscess-content drainage Secondary infected spleen hematoma

Splenectomy is the most effective and definitive treatment of choice for splenic abscess. splenectomy can be performed either from left subcostal incision or from midline epigastric entry. Advantages Definitive treatment for splenic abscess Treatment of choice if more than 2 abscesses are present Patients with failed percutaneous drainage Patient with recurrent abscesses Disadvantages Splenecetomisesd patients are more prone to infections especially catalase positive bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus. Mortality rate varies between 0-20% Extended duration operation time, larger volume of intra-operative blood loss Longer duration of hospital stay than percutaneous drainage procedure Complications Lung infection Wound infection Septicemia Paralytic ileus Deep vein thrombosis

Prevention

Primary Prevention

Primary prevention for splenic abscess can prevent in specific cases especially patients who are at high risk such as immunocompromised patients (e.g. recipients of renal transplants or patients on immunosuppressive drugs for other reasons).

• In transplant patients best way to prevent splenic abscess is by splenectomy, where as in patients with other immunocompromised states it can be achieved by proper care, early detection and aggressive treatment of minor infections.
• Avoid intravenous drug abuse