Splenic tuberculosis in patients with fever of unknown origin.

Splenic tuberculosis is uncommon. We report here splenic tuberculosis in 5 patients with fever of over 3 weeks duration. In the 5 patients, abdominal ultrasonography and/or abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple hypoechoic and hypodense splenic lesions. Diagnosis required biopsy of cervical lymph nodes in four cases and splenectomy in one. Despite vigorous antituberculous therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol, the clinical condition of 2 of these patients worsened and splenectomy was done. Histological examination of a tissue specimen of the spleen showed multiple caseating granulomas.