Treatment of complicated congenital splenic cysts

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery Vol. 28; no. 12; pp. 1635 - 1636
• Main Authors: Thorne, Mark T., Chwals, Walter J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01.12.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abscess - microbiology; Abscess - therapy; Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Ceftriaxone - therapeutic use; Drainage - methods; Epidermal Cyst - congenital; Epidermal Cyst - microbiology; Epidermal Cyst - therapy; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Hematologic involvement in other diseases; Salmonella enteritidis - isolation & purification; Salmonella Infections - therapy; Splenectomy - methods; Splenic Diseases - congenital; Splenic Diseases - microbiology; Splenic Diseases - therapy; Splenic cysts; congenital; Drainage; Infection; Epidermoid cyst; Spleen; Splenectomy; Treatment; Partial; Abscess; Congenital disease; Percutaneous route
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-3468(93)90126-6

Although rare in occurrence, the potential for congenital splenic cysts to enlarge, rupture, or become infected has been well documented. Presented is the case of a 13-year-old boy with an infected epidermoid cyst of the spleen, which presented as a solitary splenic abscess. The entity has traditionally been treated by splenectomy or, more recently, percutaneous drainage. However, given the inability of percutaneous drainage or scierotherapy to permanently obliterate congenital splenic cysts, the authors managed this condition with percutaneous drainage and interval partial splenectomy. This achieves complete removal of the lesion while preserving splenic function.