Solitary abscess of the spleen - a report of 2 cases

Summary Two cases of solitary abscess of the spleen are presented and illustrate the clinical setting and management of this potentially fatal condition. Both patients had presumed bacterial endocarditis with positive blood cultures yet failed to respond to appropriate antibiotic therapy. The clue to diagnosis was elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. Outcome in each case was favourable after splenectomy. S AI, Med J 1985; 68: 46-48.