Solitary abscess of the spleen

Solitary abscess of the spleen is a potentially lethal condition. It is difficult to diagnose but relatively easy to treat, resulting in cure of the majority of the patients. A case is described to illustrate the important factors in aetiology, presentation, diagnosis and treatment. All cases reported since 1960 are reviewed: the mortality of untreated patients is shown to be 100 per cent. If this condition is successfully diagnosed and treated, without rupture, no patient should die from it.