A case of occult splenic abscess following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): An unrecognized complication of PTCA

Despite the increased recognition of surgical problems related to cardiac catheterization, splenic abscess has not been perceived as a common complication. The authors encountered a case of splenic abscess following PTCA in a 61-year-old patient. The major symptom was insidious general malaise. Fever and tenderness in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen were the only positive physical findings. Gram positive anaerobic Streptococci intermedius was identified as the pathogen in cultures of the ultrasonography-guided aspirate from the splenic abscess. Ultrasonography and abdominal CT scan were diagnostic of the splenic abscess. The patient recovered following a splenectomy.