10 Facts About Spleen Pain You Need to Know

6. Splenic Abscess

Sudden pain in the upper left quadrant -- the left side of the chest and upper abdomen -- may indicate a splenic abscess. A fever, along with an inability to eat a full meal, are additional signs. In about half of the cases, these conditions relate to an enlarged spleen. However, the presence of bacteria, fungi, or yeasts in the blood can also cause an abscess to form on the spleen. Sometimes, the infection may start in a different organ and spread to the spleen. Spleen abnormalities may also cause abscesses, though this is rare.