Management of splenic abscess in sickle cell disease

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell disease [SCD] is one of the commonly inherited disea and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia where splenomegaly with high frequency in the adolescent, predisposes the patient to have splenic abscess. The present study documents the pathology, clinical picture, investigations and surgical treatment of the splenic abscess. Twenty two cases of sickle cell disease patients complicated with splenic abscess were included in this study during October 2002 December 2007. Splenic abscess is a rare complication of sickle cell disease but is the most serious complication. Splenic infarction is one of the most predisposing cause for splenic abscess. There are different modalities for the management of splenic abscess as ultrasound or CT guided aspiration or splenectomy. Splenectomy remains the treatment of choice in sickle cell disease patient with splenic abscess