[Splenic abscess. 3 cases (author's transl)].

The authors report three cases of splenic abscess. The condition developed twice during a salmonella infection associated in one case with sickle cell disease. In two patients, the spleen was the site of a suppurated infarction. One patient died shortly after operation. Study of the 79 cases of splenic abscess treated surgically published since 1960 reveals a mortality of 16%. This rare condition is seen essentially during typhoid and septicaemias (endocarditis). Such pathology in also now seen in drug addicts. The diagnosis and, hence, the prognosis should be improved by the use of echography which seems to be the most reliable investigation before peritonitis by rupture which remains a complication associated with a heavy mortality.