Splenic Abscess in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

In Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, the spleen commonly enlarges during the first two decades of life but then undergoes auto-splenectomy due to repeated attacks of vaso-occlusion and infarction. This, however, is not the case in Saudi patients with SCD, where Splenomegaly sometimes persists into adult life. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonly inherited diseases in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia where Splenomegaly with high frequency in the adolescent, predisposes the patient to have Splenic abscess. A 10-year (January 2000 December 2010) retrospective review of twenty nine cases of sickle cell disease patients complicated withSsplenic abscess records was performed. Information regarding demographics, clinical presentation, etiological agents and management was gathered and analyzed. Splenic abscess is a rare complication of sickle cell disease but is the most serious complication. Splenic infarction is one of the most predisposing causes for splenic abscess. There are different modalities for the management of splenic abscess as ultrasound or CT guided aspiration or splenectomy. In conclusion, patients with persistent Splenomegaly should be followed closely for development of complications which may necessitate splenectomy. Splenectomy remains the treatment of choice in sickle cell disease patient with splenic abscess.