Sonography of splenic abscess.

Gray-scale sonographic examination was performed in seven cases of splenic and parasplenic abscess. The splenic abscesses appeared as irregular, poorly defined anechoic masses with varying internal echogenicity and acoustical transmission. Increased echogenicity and distal acoustical shadowing due to gas within the abscess were also noted. Gray-scale sonography was instrumental in the diagnosis of splenic abscess in this group of patients whose symptomatology was of uncertain etiology.