RT Journal
A1 Johnson JD, Raff MJ, Chun C, Barnwell PA
T1 SUrgical management of splenic abscess in endocarditis
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1985
FD February 1
VO 145
IS 2
SP 370
OP 370
DO 10.1001/archinte.1985.00360020214049
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1985.00360020214049
AB To the Editor. 
    —We read with interest the letter to the editor concerning splenic abscess in infectious endocarditis published in the February Archives.1 The authors reemphasized an important point: the frequency of splenic abscess is often underestimated in patients with infectious endocarditis. In the autopsy series of 78 patients described in this letter, the incidence of splenic abscess was 6.4%. Unfortunately, the authors did not indicate over what time period these 78 patients expired. In their series of 120 patients seen between 1974 and 1982, the incidence of splenic abscess was apparently only 0.8%. If we can combine these two series, the overall incidence is 3%, which is identical to what we quoted as a projection in our study.2We are concerned that the statement by the authors that "... splenectomy is rarely indicated... " may be misleading to readers. We would endeavor to reemphasize that although splenic abscesses