Abstract

CASE REPORT OF SALMONELLA SPLENIC ABSCESS IN ENTERIC FEVER: A RARE PRESENTATION

Dilip Kumar Dubey (M.D., D.M.), Noor Bano (M.D., P.D.C.C.), Madhulika Dubey (M.D., F.N.B.)* and Sandeep Kumar Mitra (M.D., I.D.C.C.M.)

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Abstract

Splenic abscess due to Salmonella typhi is an infrequent finding of salmonellosis with a high mortality rate if not treated appropriately. The disease has a nonspecific presentation similar to other febrile illness making the diagnosis difficult. A 23 year old immunocompetent male presented with chief complaints of fever, pain in left upper abdomen, headache and vomiting and the vague presentation lead to delay in diagnosis of the splenic abscess. Later, ultrasound abdomen and computed tomography revealed splenic abscess and the culture of the aspirated sample showed the growth of S. typhi. Antibiotics were started according to the culture sensitivity report and the patient was discharged in stable condition after completing the course of antibiotics. The case highlights on having high index of clinical suspicion for splenic abscess in patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms of febrile illness and prioritizing the treatment plan which can salvage the spleen as well.

Keywords: Splenic abscess, Salmonella typhi, enteric fever, needle aspiration, splenectomy.