Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Revealed by Splenic Abscess: A Case Report

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common non-Hodgkin lymphomas. It has no typical or specific clinical features. DLBCL revealed by an abscess is a rare entity. CT is sensitive in detecting splenic abscesses, and it can define the exact location and extent of the abscess as well. The splenic abscess is associated with typhoid fever, AIDS, abdominal infections, pneumonia, bacterial endocarditis, and urogenital infections, parasitic abscesses, organ transplantation, or neoplastic diseases. DLBCL is not usually related to its etiology. Elective open splenectomy, both diagnostic and therapeutic, is the gold standard method of management today and has low morbidity and mortality rates, with even lower rates for laparoscopic splenectomy. The diagnosis of DLBCL is based on the anatomopathological and immunohistological examination. We report a case of a man with a splenic abscess initially treated as an abscess of bacterial origin; however, the lack of improvement in his condition led us to perform a splenectomy, and the anatomopathological study revealed a DLBCL.