Tuberculous splenic abscess in the immunocompetent host: a report and review of literature

Abstract

Tubercular splenic abscess is rare, particularly in immunocompetent patients. Diagnostic difficulties usually arise in patients with tubercular splenic abscess because of its non-specific presentation. We report an elderly male who presented with cough and fever and had pulmonary infiltrates suspicious of tuberculosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage microbiology including XpertMTB/Rif assay was non-contributory. Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan of abdomen revealed multiple non-enhancing lesions in the spleen. Ultrasound guided splenic aspirate revealed pus that was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in XpertMTB/Rif assay confirming the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Keywords

• Splenic tuberculosis
• splenic abscess
• disseminated tuberculosis
• immunocompetent