Gangrenous gas necrosis of the spleen: a case report

BMC Infect Dis. 2019 Sep 5;19(1):777. doi: 10.1186/s12879-019-4406-4.

Abstract

Background: Splenic abscess usually arises from hematogenous spread. Causative pathogens are various and anaerobic pathogens are rarely reported.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 50-year-old male patient who was admitted for sepsis due to gangrenous necrosis of the spleen associated with bacteremia. Causative pathogens were Clostridium perfringens and Streptococcus gallolyticus. The patient was successfully treated by splenectomy and targeted intravenous antibiotics. No underlying or predisposing disease was found.

Conclusion: Gangrenous necrosis of the spleen is a rare entity that can be successfully treated by splenectomy and antibiotics.

Keywords: Gangrene; Spleen; Splenic abscess; Splenic gangrene; Spontaneous gas gangrene.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Abscess / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abdominal Abscess / microbiology
  • Abdominal Abscess / surgery
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Bacteremia / surgery
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification
  • Gas Gangrene / diagnosis*
  • Gas Gangrene / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / surgery
  • Spleen / microbiology
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Splenectomy
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Splenic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Splenic Diseases / microbiology
  • Splenic Diseases / surgery
  • Streptococcus gallolyticus / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents