CHICKEN FANCIERS SPLEEN

Splenic epidermoid cysts are rare congenital lesions which usually pre sent insidiously with non-specific symptoms such as dull left upper qu adrant pain, or as incidental findings on clinical examination. We pre sent a chicken breeder who presented as an emergency with a tender lef t upper quadrant mass and septicaemia secondary to zoonotic infection of a primary splenic cyst with Salmonella enteritidis. The cystic natu re of the swelling was confirmed by ultrasound and the anatomy assesse d with computed tomography. She was aggressively resuscitated and unde rwent laparotomy and splenectomy, after which she made an uncomplicate d recovery. The importance of early diagnosis and surgical treatment i s discussed, together with the measures required as prophylaxis agains t overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis.