[A Thrombus in the Right Atrium Associated with Pyogenic Liver Abscess].

Hepatic abscesses are divided into bacterial and amoebic types. Although the prognosis of bacterial liver abscesses has improved owing to progress in drainage techniques and antimicrobial agents, poor outcomes remain common. While there have been some reports of amoebic liver abscesses complicated by thrombosis, bacterial liver abscesses and subsequent thrombus in the right atrium are very rare. We herein report the case of an 82-year-old man. He had suffered acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis 10 months previously, and bile culture yielded Enterococcus faecalis. In the present case, a right atrial thrombus caused by a bacterial liver abscess was observed and the causative organism was thought to be Enterococcus faecalis, for which was detected in a blood culture was positive. The patient was successfully treated with hepatic abscess drainage and surgical right atrial thrombectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass with a beating heart.

CT-based radiomics model to distinguish necrotic hepatocellular carcinoma from pyogenic liver abscess.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of a computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics model in distinguishing necrotic hepatocellular carcinoma (nHCC) from pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred-four enrolled patients with nHCC (n=56) and PLA (n=48) were divided randomly into a training cohort (n=62) and validation cohort (n=42). ROI (region of interest) of the wall (ROI-wall) and ROI of the necrotic cavity (ROI-necrotic cavity) of the lesion were delineated from each arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PP) image. The least absolute shrinkage and the selection operator logistic regression method was used to select radiomics features, and radiomics scores (R-scores) were calculated. Four radiomics models, including R-score (ROI-wall) in the AP, R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the AP, R-score (ROI-wall) in the PP and R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the PP, were constructed and evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The AUCs of R-score (ROI-wall) in the AP, R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the AP, R-score (ROI-wall) in the PP, and R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the PP were 0.935 and 0.917, 0.906 and 0.824, 0.985 and 0.928, 0.899 and 0.850, in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. In the training cohort, the AUC of R-score (ROI-wall) in the PP was higher than that of R-score (ROI-wall) in the AP (p=0.024) or R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the AP (p=0.046) or R-score (ROI-necrotic cavity) in the PP (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: CT-based radiomics models can be used to distinguish nHCC from PLA.

[Advances in the study of occult malignant tumor-related pyogenic liver abscesses in the digestive system].

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) accompanied by occult malignant tumors is a rare kind of life-threatening disease. Studies have shown that it can predict the occurrence of cancer, especially hepatobiliary and colorectal cancer. The risk of combined occult primary liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and gastrointestinal cancer is high in PLA patients. Malignant tumor-related PLA lacks specific symptoms and signs. The iodine concentration ratio between the energy spectrum CT lesions and normal liver tissue is of certain value in the differentiation of liver cancer and liver abscess. Computed tomography colonography has a dual role. It can screen patients with PLA for occult colorectal cancer and determine the treatment response of abscess lesions. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli is the main microorganism of PLA related to colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. PLA treatment related to hepatobiliary malignant tumor has high complications and mortality, and poor prognosis. Most occult colorectal cancers are in the early stage, and their early detection and prognosis are better than those of PLA patients combined with hepatobiliary malignancies.

Clinical and computed tomography features of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is the primary pathogen associated with pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs). Moreover, there has been an increase in the proportion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing KP. However, the clinical and computed tomography (CT) features of liver abscesses caused by ESBL-producing KP have not been separately described. We aimed to compare the clinical and CT features present in patients with ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing KP as well as to determine the risk factors for ESBL-producing KP liver abscesses (KPLAs). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained from the medical records of patients with a first episode of KPLA admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between May 2015 and May 2019. We compared the clinical and CT features between patients with ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing KPLA. RESULTS: We enrolled 100 patients with KPLA (14 and 86 in the ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing groups, respectively). There was no significant between-group difference in the proportion of patients with comorbid diabetes (71.43% vs. 66.2%, p = 0.086). The ESBL-producing KPLA group had a greater proportion of patients with a history of biliary disease (78.57% vs. 26.74%, p < 0.001) and gastrointestinal malignancy (50% vs. 6.98%, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that a history of biliary disease was an independent risk factor for ESBL-producing KPLA. Compared with the non-ESBL-producing KPLA group, the ESBL-producing KPLA group had a significantly higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (28.57% vs. 2.33%, p < 0.001). All ESBL-producing KP isolates were susceptible to carbapenems and amikacin. Only the presence of multiloculation on CT was found to be significantly different between the groups (50% vs. 82.56%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of biliary disease was an independent risk factor for ESBL-producing KPLA. Patients with ESBL-producing KPLA had a higher ICU admission rate, with only half of patients having evidence of multiloculation on CT.

Diagnosis efficacy of CEUS for hepatic inflammatory lesions.

PURPOSE: In this study, the efficacy of US/CEUS and clinicopathologic parameters in differential diagnosis of hepatic inflammatory lesions were evaluated. METHODS: This was a retrospective study in which CEUS imaging was performed on 182 patients. Among these patients, 44 patients had hepatic inflammatory lesions and 138 patients had malignant lesions. The ultrasound (US), CEUS, and clinicopathologic parameters with respect to differential diagnosis of hepatic inflammatory lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: Irregular lesion shape and unclear margin were commonly seen in hepatic inflammatory lesions by US/CEUS examination. Hypoenhancement in arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PVP), and isoenhancement in delayed phase (DP) were more commonly found in inflammatory lesions rather than malignant lesions [9% (4/44), 68% (30/44), and 16% (7/44) vs 2% (3/138), 11% (15/138), 1% (1/138), respectively; P < .05]. The enhancement coverage was also a significant indicator for the differentiation of inflammatory lesions and malignant lesions (P < .05). History of hepatitis or cirrhosis, and higher serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level were indicators for malignant lesions, while liver parasites and higher body temperature were indicators for inflammatory lesions. When the US/CEUS findings were combined with clinicopathologic parameters, the diagnostic accuracy of inflammatory lesions could reach 93.3%, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 63.64%, 96.03%, 84.85%, and 88.32%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The US/CEUS findings combined with clinical characteristics can accurately differentiate hepatic inflammatory lesions and malignant lesions. The results of study will improve the diagnostic confidence for hepatic inflammatory lesions.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Appearance of Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses.

There has been a paradigm shift with Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) emerging as the most frequently isolated bacterium in pyogenic liver abscesses in immunocompetent patients. Colonization of this hypervirulent KP strain has led to community-acquired liver abscesses. Septic seeding to distant sites of the body has been recognized and is strongly associated with diabetes. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic features have been described. Grayscale ultrasound (US) features remain inconclusive, with variable US appearances. Here we describe the contrast-enhanced US features of KP liver abscesses, which correlated with previously described computed tomographic findings. The use of contrast-enhanced US eliminates the need for radiation exposure.

Beyond pyogenic liver abscess: a comprehensive review of liver infections in emergency settings.

Hepatobiliary infections are commonly encountered in emergency settings ranging from common pathology such as pyogenic abscess to relatively uncommon and rare etiologies. Since extensive literature is already available on imaging of more common bacterial infections, for the sake of focused discussion, this review will discuss radiological appearance of less commonly encountered hepatic infections of fungal, parasitic, viral, and tubercular etiologies. Epidemiological and clinical information remain extremely important for obtaining more accurate presumptive diagnosis. In the era of diverse population migration, a modern-era radiologist must be well versed about the imaging spectrum of liver infections.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value. METHODS: This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. RESULTS: Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17-24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05-3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

Eikenella corrodens endocarditis and liver abscess in a previously healthy male, a case report.

BACKGROUND: Eikenella corrodens is one of the HACEK bacteria constituting part of the normal flora of the oropharynx, however, still an uncommon pathogen. We report a case of a large Eikenella corrodens liver abscess with simultaneously endocarditis in a previously healthy male. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old Danish man was admitted because of one-month malaise, fever, cough and unintentional weight loss. On admission there was elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, as well as affected liver function tests. Initially pneumonia was suspected, but due to lack of improvement on pneumonia treatment, a PET-CT scan was performed, which showed a large multiloculated abscess in the liver. The abscess was drained using ultrasound guidance. Culture demonstrated Eikenella corrodens. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed aortic endocarditis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and abscess drainage, on which he slowly improved. He was discharged after 1.5 months of hospitalisation. On follow-up 2 months later, the patient was asymptomatic with normalized biochemistry and ultrasound showed complete regression of the abscess. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of documented Eikenella corrodens concurrent liver abscess and endocarditis. The case report highlights that Eikenella corrodens should be considered as a cause of liver abscess. Empirical treatment of pyogenic liver abscess will most often cover Eikenella corrodens, but the recommended treatment is a third generation cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolon. A multiloculated liver abscess may require drainage several times during treatment. The finding of Eikenella corrodens should elicit an echocardiography to diagnose endocarditis even in patients without clinical signs of endocarditis.

Pyogenic liver abscess related to intrahepatic bile duct stones: Difficulties in infectious control and diagnosis of concomitant cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cholangitis, bacteremia, and pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) can be often caused by intrahepatic bile ducts stone (IBDS), which is endemic to South-East Asia. The association between IBDS and cholangiocarcinoma has been well recognized. Concomitant cholangiocarcinoma in the PLA related to IBDS is often missed. METHODS: A case-control study consisting of 64 patients with PLA related to IBDS and 256 control patients with PLA not related to IBDS was used to investigate clinical features of PLA and incidence of concomitant cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PLA related to IBDS. RESULTS: The main imaging manifestations of PLA related to IBDS was cystic-solid lesions and solid lesions. Of seven patients (10.9%) with pathology-proven cholangiocarcinoma in the same area of PLA related to IBDS among 64 patients, only two patients were initially diagnosed as having concomitant cholangiocarcinoma by biopsy, and other five patients diagnosed as acute inflammatory lesion. Within 60 days after onset, the infection-related death rate and recurrence rate in patients with PLA related to IBDS were 12.9% and 20.3%, respectively, whereas in patients with PLA not related to IBDS were 3.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Only 25% of patients with PLA related to IBDS underwent surgery after admission. The main pathogens in PLA patients related to IBDS were Escherichia coli and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging manifestations of PLA related to IBDS often present cystic-solid or solid lesions. PLA related to IBDS is characterized by high rate of recurrence and infection-related death, difficulty in diagnosis of concomitant cholangicarcinoma.

Transient Segmental Enhancement of Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Comparison Between Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the transient segmental enhancement (TSE) of liver abscesses on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: In total, 42 abscesses in 38 patients were evaluated with real-time CEUS and contrast-enhanced CT imaging. The CT imaging and CEUS examinations were performed within one to 2 days of each other in all cases. The initial reports of the observations of TSE on CEUS scans were correlated later with the findings of TSE on contrast-enhanced CT images. Contrast-enhanced CT was used as the reference standard to evaluate the presence of TSE. Relationships between the 2 groups were analyzed using the χ test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: In 16 patients, 16 typical TSE signs were shown by CEUS. Meanwhile, enhanced CT imaging showed 18 typical signs of TSE in 17 patients. We identified 38 patients with hepatic abscesses proven by needle aspiration (10 patients) or image-guided biopsy (28 patients). Ten patients had hepatobiliary cholelithiasis, 5 had diabetes mellitus type 2, and 2 had gastric cancer, whereas no evidence of underlying hepatobiliary or gastrointestinal diseases was found in the other 21 patients. Considering that enhanced CT is the reference standard for the diagnosis of hepatic abscesses, the sensitivity of CEUS in showing TSE was 89%, and the specificity was 100%. The χ test indicated that CEUS and enhanced CT were significantly correlated for detection of hepatic perfusion disorders (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of TSE in liver abscess was reliably detected by CEUS, which correlated well with the enhanced CT images (P < 0.05).

Hepatic Abscess Secondary to Stomach Perforation by a Fish Bone: a Rare Cause of Hepatic Abscess.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies are commonly encountered in clinical practice. However, although perforation of the gastrointestinal tract by a foreign body is not unusual, the formation of a hepatic abscess as a result of the migration of a foreign body is extremely rare. Patients usually present with atypical symptoms, and the treatment of such pyogenic liver abscesses presents a challenge. Here we report a case of hepatic abscess secondary to stomach perforation by a fish bone.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess Secondary to Foreign Body (Fish Bone) Treated by Laparoscopy: A Case Report.

Liver abscess due to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract by a foreign body is a rare and possibly fatal event. Diagnosing this pathology is complicated by the lack of specific symptoms and unfamiliarity of ingestion by the patient and low clinical suspicion of this disease. In the case of liver abscess unresponsive to aspiration and administration of antibiotics, this hypothesis must be made, despite its low incidence. This case report describes and illustrates a case of liver abscess secondary to fish bone ingestion with consequent piercing of the lesser gastric curvature, diagnosed by computed tomography and specific anamnesis. Laparoscopy was performed to extract the foreign body, without complications; the patient is currently asymptomatic and does not present any abnormal physical examination findings. We believe this represents the first case report of a successful laparoscopic treatment in South America for the removal of an ingested foreign body associated with pyogenic liver abscess.

Risk factors and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess in adult liver recipients: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Adult liver recipients (ALR) differ from the general population with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) as they exhibit: reconstructed biliary anatomy, recurrent hospitalizations, poor clinical condition and are subjected to immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with PLA in ALR and to analyze the management experience of these patients. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2016, 879 adult patients underwent liver transplantation (LT), 26 of whom developed PLA. Patients and controls were matched according to the time from transplant to abscess in a 1 to 5 relation. A logistic regression model was performed to establish PLA risk factors considering clusters for matched cases and controls. Risk factors were identified and a multivariate regression analysis performed. RESULTS: Patients with post-LT PLA were more likely to have lower BMI (p = 0.006), renal failure (p = 0.031) and to have undergone retransplantation (p = 0.002). A history of hepatic artery thrombosis (p = 0.010), the presence of Roux en-Y hepatojejunostomy (p < 0.001) and longer organ ischemia time (p = 0.009) were independent predictors for the development of post-LT PLA. Five-year survival was 49% (95%CI 28-67%) and 89% (95%CI 78%-94%) for post-LT PLA and no post-LT PLA, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: history of hepatic artery thrombosis, the presence of hepatojejunostomy and a longer ischemia time represent independent predictors for the development of post-LT PLA. There was a significantly poorer survival in patients who developed post-LT PLA compared with those who did not.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of pyogenic liver abscess in people 65 years or older versus people under 65: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To analyse the clinical, epidemiological, microbiological and prognostic differences of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in older (≥ 65 years of age) versus younger patients (< 65 years). METHODS: Multicentre, retrospective cohort study in all patients with PLA admitted to two Spanish hospitals from January 2000 to January 2014. Cases were divided into two age groups (< 65 years and ≥65 years) for comparison of clinical, epidemiological and microbiological characteristics as well as treatment. RESULTS: Of 98 patients analysed, 40 patients were younger than 65, and 58 were aged 65 or older. Significant associations in the older group were found with female sex (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] 9.0; 95% CI 1.4, 56), non-cryptogenic origin (ORa 14.5; 95% CI 1.6, 129), absence of chronic liver disease (ORa 14; 95% CI 1.3, 155), Escherichia coli infection (ORa 7.7; 95% CI 1.03, 58), and incidence of complications (ORa 2.3; 95% CI 1.04, 5.4). Mortality was 8.2% overall, although all deaths occurred in the older group (8/58; 13.8%) (p = 0.02). DISCUSSION: Our results are in consonance with other published studies. Older patients with PLA tend to present more anomalies in the biliary tract (Kai et. al, World J Gastroenterol 18: 2948-295, 2012, Rahimian et. al, Clin Infect Dis 39:1654-9, 2004, Seeto, Medicine (Baltimore) 75:99-113, 1996, Kao et.al, Aliment Pharmacol Ther 36:467-76, 2012, Lai et. al, Gastroenterology 146:129-37, 2014), while younger patients are more often male and present more commonly with previous liver disease (especially related to alcohol) and cryptogenic PLA. CONCLUSION: In patients aged 65 or older, PLA was more common in women and in those with a history of biliary disease, and E. coli was the most frequent bacterium. Mortality was also higher in the older group.

[Successful Treatment of Acute Empyema Due to Rupture of Pyogenic Liver Abscess].

Cases of rescue after rupture of pyogenic liver abscess into the thorax are rare. Here, we report 2 cases of rescue in patients with acute empyema due to rupture of a suppurative abscess into the thorax. Case 1:A 61-year-old male had high fever of 39 °C and right abdominal pain. Thoracic computed tomography(CT) showed encapsulated pleural effusion in the right thorax and ring-like enhancement in the right liver. The diagnosis was acute empyema caused by rupture of liver abscess. The pathogenic bacteria were Streptococcus group. The drain was removed after 6 days and the patient was discharged 32 days after surgery without reefing the diaphragm. Case 2:A 74-year-old male had a high fever of 39 °C and right chest pain. CT showed encapsulated pleural effusion in the right thorax, but not in the lung, and a low density area in the posterior segment of the liver. The diagnosis was acute empyema caused by rupture of liver abscess. The pathogenic bacteria were Streptococcus group and Bacteroides. The drain was removed after 8 days and the patient was discharged 32 days after surgery without reefing the diaphragm. CONCLUSION: Pathogenic bacteria in a pyogenic liver abscess are usually Gram-negative rods, but recently have also been reported to be Streptococcus anginosus group( SAG). Coinfection with SAG and anaerobic bacteria occurs in elderly patients, compromised hosts, and patients with a severe malignant disease. Therefore, early drainage using surgical treatment regardless of reefing the diaphragm should be considered to control severe infection due to liver abscess rupture.