Case report of successful partial splenectomy for a splenic abscess in a paediatric patient

INTRODUCTION: Splenic abscess (SA) is a rare potentially fatal condition in the paediatric population. It is difficult to diagnose given its non-specific presentation. There are no current guidelines for management of SA in this population but splenic preservation is advantageous given the vital role the spleen plays in immunity. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of a 15-year-old boy with a large splenic abscess. He underwent successful partial splenectomy with resolution of his symptoms thereafter. DISCUSSION: Standard surgical treatment for splenic abscess is antibiotics and drainage. Spleen-preserving options include percutaneous drainage, partial splenectomy, subtotal splenectomy and splenic auto-transplantation. Spleen-preserving techniques should be used where possible to achieve best outcome in clearing infection and to ensure the immunologic role of the spleen is not compromised. CONCLUSION: Splenic abscess is rare conditions seen in paediatric practice with high mortality and partial splenectomy can be a useful spleen-preserving technique in treating this condition.