[Microabscesses of the spleen in patients with acute leukemia].

Eight patients with acute myelogenous leukemia in complete remission after induction chemotherapy developed septic fever. Fever was unresponsive to broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Ultrasonography showed multiple 0.5-2 cm in diameter, anechoic densities and some 1-3 cm "target" appearances in spleen and liver. Computed tomography demonstrated multiple, round, 0.5-2 cm areas of diminished attenuation in spleen and liver, which did not enhance like the surrounding parenchyma. These microabscesses increased in size and number without equivalent antifungal therapy and decreased or disappeared after specific treatment. Candida-infection was confirmed by histologically from liver specimens in four patients, fungal organisms were seen microscopically an liver-biopsy in one patient and at autopsy one patient was found to have candida disseminated to the spleen, liver, kidneys, lung and CNS.