Percutaneous catheter drainage of uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess: prospective evaluation of a clinical protocol for catheter removal and the significance of residual collections.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with amoebic liver abscess (ALA) may require percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). Once the PCD output is substantially reduced or has ceased along with clinical recovery, residual collections on radiological evaluation may concern the treating physicians. The prevalence and significance of such collections is unknown, and the subsequent approach how to tackle them is unclear. METHODS: Consecutive patients with one or more uncomplicated ALAs requiring drainage were prospectively enrolled from 3 hospitals and managed based on a standard approach. Catheter removal was attempted after the patients fulfilled all 4 of the following criteria: disappearance of abdominal pain, absence of fever for at least 48 h, an improving trend of TLC (documented on 2 consecutive reports), and catheter drain output of < 10 ml/day for at least 2 consecutive days. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (mean age 46.6 ± 10.5 years, 93.6% males, 89.1% alcoholics) underwent PCD placement; 69 patients (69/110; 62.7%) met all 4 criteria within 5 days of PCD placement (optimal response) and had an uncomplicated course. Patients with suboptimal responses (41/110; 37.3%) were evaluated for local and systemic complications; the appearance of fresh collections (5/110; 4.5%), abscess rupture (2/110; 1.8%), bile leakage (3/110; 2.7%), cholangitis (2/110; 1.8%), thrombophlebitis (2/110; 1.8%) and hospital-acquired infections (2/110; 1.8%) were diagnosed and treated accordingly. Ultimately, PCD removal (based on the fulfilment of all 4 criteria) was universally successful after a median of 5 days (IQR, 4-9 days). None of the patients had symptom recurrence after PCD removal, although residual collections were still seen in 97.3% of patients at the time of PCD removal and in 92.1% and 84.9% of patients available for follow-up at 1 and 3 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on our clinical protocol, PCD removal in ALA can be successfully expedited even in the presence of residual collections. An inability to fulfill all 4 criteria within 5 days of PCD placement warrants further evaluations for local and systemic complications that require additional therapeutic measures.

Clinical and Endoscopic Management of Synchronous Amoebic Liver Abscess and Bleeding Colonic Ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal amebiasis is endemic in India, with myriad clinical presentations. The liver is the most common extra-intestinal organ to be involved in invasive amoebiasis up to 37% of cases. Synchronous presentation of hepatic and intestinal disease is unusual, and presentation as acute gastrointestinal bleed, or amoeboma even more atypical. GOALS: We aimed to assess the frequency of synchronous hepatic and colonic amebiasis and the efficacy of endoscopic management of colonic bleeding. RESULTS: We screened 52 consecutive patients with amebic liver abscess for synchronous intestinal amoebiasis and report the clinical course of 28 patients (mean age 48.3 years, all male) with amoebic liver abscess (ALA), (mean size, 7.2 ± 2.8 cm) who presented to us with lower gastrointestinal bleed requiring endotherapy. Patients with synchronous infection had higher bilirubin, liver enzymes and prothrombin time. Most needed percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess, and had prolonged hospital stay. They had ileocaecal ulcers with active bleeding; ulcer with adherent clot in 10(50%), and visible vessel in 8(37.5%), or active ooze in 4(12.5%). One patient had an ulcerated rectal mass, which appeared malignant on endoscopy, which was later found to be an amoeboma on microscopy. Hemostasis was achieved with dilute epinephrine injection, one patient required argon plasma coagulation, and 4 subjects required haemoclip placement at the site to control ooze from a visible vessel. CONCLUSION: Synchronous hepatic and intestinal amoebiasis is not uncommon, and often requires endoscopic haemostasis in case of gastrointestinal bleeding due to colonic disease. We report the successful endoscopic control of bleeding amoebic ulcers in all 24 patients.

[Diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the amoebic liver abscesses in the surgery at point "G" Hospital]. / Aspects Diagnostiques et Therapeutiquesdes Abces Amibiens du Foie dans le Service de Chirurgie "A" du CHU du Point "G".

AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnosis and therapeutic aspects of the amoebic liver abscesses in the surgery «A¼ department of the University hospital Point "G". PATIENTS AND METHODS: Were included in this study, patients admitted to the surgery «A¼ department for amoebic liver abscess confirmed by a positive amoebic serology and the chocolate appearance of bacteria-free pus. Bacterial liver abscesses were not included into this study. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 52 cases of patients diagnosed with amoebic liver abscess were collected in the department. There were 41 men and 11 women, with a sex ratio of 3.7. The mean age was 37.8 years old with extremes of 15 and 66 years. The most represented professions were farmers (36.5%) followed by salesmen (26.7%) and students (11.5%). The average outpatient visit delay time was 18.5 days with the extremes of 5 and 34 days. The most frequent clinical signs were pain in the right hypochondrium (86.5%), fever (78.8%) and hepatomegaly (61.5%). Abdominal ultrasound showed a single located abscess in 44 patients (84.6%) and these abscesses were localized in the right hepatic lobe in 34 patients(65.4%). The average volume of the abscess was 366.5 cm3 with the extremes of 36 cm3 and 1580 cm3. Amoebic serology was positive in 38 patients (80.9%). Cytobacteriological analysis of pus in 37 patients (71%) was negative. Patients underwent an ultrasound assisted needle aspiration of pus in 65.4% he. Laparotomy and a laparoscopic approach were performed in 7.7% and in 5.8%, respectively. The clinical course was uneventfulin 94.2%. The mean hospital stay duration was 16.5 days with the extremes of 4 and 29 days. No death was recorded during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Amoebic liver abscess is an uncommon pathology in a surgical setting. Abdominal ultrasound andechography guided liver puncture allowed the diagnosis. Laparoscopic approach minimizes the burden of the laparotomy.

BUT: Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer les aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des abcès amibiens du foie dans le service de chirurgie " A " du CHU du Point G. PATIENTS ET MÉTHODES: Ont été inclus dans cette étude, les patients admis dans le service de chirurgie "A" pour abcès amibien du foie sur la base de la positivité de la sérologie amibienne, de l'aspect chocolat du pus et de l'absence de bactéries dans le pus. Les abcès bactériens ont été exclus de cette étude. RÉSULTATS: En 10 ans, 52 dossiers de patients diagnostiqués pour abcès amibiens du foie ont été colligés dans le service. Il s'est agi de 41 hommes et de 11 femmes soit un sex-ratio de 3,7. L'âge moyen des patients a été de 37,8 ans avec des extrêmes de 15ans et 66 ans. Les professions les plus représentées ont été les cultivateurs (36,5%), les commerçants (26,7%) et les élèves et étudiants (11,5%).Le délai moyen de consultation a été de 18,5 jours avec des extrêmes de 5 jours et 34 jours. Les signes cliniques les plus fréquents ont été la douleur de l'hypochondre droit (86,5%), la fièvre (78,8%) et l'hépatomégalie (61,5%). L'échographie abdominale a objectivé un abcès unique dans 44 cas (84,6%) et l'abcès a été localisé dans le lobe hépatique droit dans 34 cas (65,4%). Le volume moyen de l'abcès était de 366,5cm3 avec des extrêmes de 36 cm3 et 1580cm3. La sérologie amibienne a été positive dans 80,9% (n = 38). La culture a été stérile à l'analyse cytobactériologique du pus dans 37 cas (71%). Une ponction évacuatrice écho-guidée a été réalisée dans 65,4% des cas. La procédure chirurgicale a consisté à réaliser une laparotomie dans 7,7% des cas et un abord coelioscopique dans 5,8%. Les antibiotiques utilisés ont été le métronidazole par voie intraveineuse chez tous les patients, associés à la céftriaxone dans 78,8% (n=41). L'évolution clinique a été favorable dans 94,2%. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation a été de 16,5 jours avec des extrêmes de 4 jours et 29 jours. Aucun décès n'a été constaté pendant l'hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: L'abcès amibien du foie est une pathologie peu fréquente en milieu chirurgical. L'échographie abdominale et la ponction écho-guidée ont permis de poser le diagnostic. Le traitement par abord coelioscopique minimise les inconvénients de la laparotomie.

Multiple Medium Amoebic Liver Abscesses Successfully Treated with Medication and Comprehensive Percutaneous Catheter Drainage.

Solitary small (<5 cm) amoebic liver abscesses in the right lobe are generally treated using medication alone, while large abscesses are typically treated via a combination of medication and drainage. However, the therapeutic indications for multiple medium (5-10 cm) amoebic liver abscesses remain unclear. We herein report the findings of a 53-year-old woman who was receiving lenalidomide for multiple myeloma and subsequently developed multiple amoebic abscesses. Metronidazole alone was unsuccessful, although metronidazole and repeated percutaneous catheter drainage of the right lobe, left lobe, and thorax proved to ultimately be successful. Therefore, the successful use of medication alone may be associated with the total combined abscess volume.

Pigtail Catheter in the Management of Liver Abscess.

Amoebic liver abscess is a common condition in Bangladesh. Though conservative treatment plays a major role, refractory patients can be successfully treated with minimally invasive approach. This prospective study was carried out to evaluate the prospect of sono-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for liver abscess patients not responding to conservative treatment. This study was done at Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 2005 to June 2006 among patients with liver abscess that were treated conservatively outside and got admitted in different surgery and medicine units. Included 35 patients were evaluated clinically and through relevant investigations. Sono-guided percutaneous pigtail catheter was introduced for drainage and patients were followed up for two weeks on average at hospital indoor by amount of drainage, clinical improvement and serial follow up USG. After discharge from the hospital, all patients were followed up monthly and assessed clinically and ultrasonographically up to two months on outdoor basis. Thirty five patients underwent pigtail catheter drainage that was refractory to conservative treatment or needle aspiration. Following insertion of catheter patients who were pyrexic, fever subsided in two to three days and never back during the postoperative period and follow up. Antimicrobials were changed according to the report of the culture and sensitivity of the aspirate that was done routinely. Maximum total (4300 ml) amount of pus was drained in a patient. Average duration of catheter drainage in this study was 8 days. With a very low morbidity and zero mortality rates, minimum treatment costs and early return to regular life style proved this minimally invasive procedure to be a rational treatment option for amoebic liver abscess in selective cases.

[Amoebic liver abscess in a patient initially diagnosed with pneumonia: case report and discussion of relevant literature]. / Pnömoni Ön Tanili Bir Hastada Amebik Karaciger Absesi: Olgu Sunumu ve Ilgili Literatürün Degerlendirilmesi.

In one-third of the patients with amoebiasis, amoebic liver abscess (ALA) may occur after the penetration of amoebic trophozoites through the intestinal wall. ALA is seen mostly among men aged 20-45 years with a serious clinical outcome, with fever and abdominal pain on the right upper quadrant. Most patients have no recent history of amoebic colitis; indeed, they have neither gastrointestinal complaints nor Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) cysts/trophozoites in their stools. Therefore, ultrasonography and serology are primary in ALA diagnosis, while searching for E. histolytica DNA in abscess fluid using PCR has been preferred as an effective and reliable method, lately. Early antimicrobial therapy is effective; however, for cases irresponsive to therapy after 72 hours and with large abscess, drainage or surgical intervention is indicated. If left untreated, ALA may disseminate to other organs and cause death. The data concerning the extra-intestinal manifestations of amebiasis in Turkey are limited. Here, a rare case of a young man with an initial diagnosis of pneumonia followed by the identification of ALA after radiological interventions and laboratory tests is presented and the relevant literature is discussed.

Liver abscess in the tropics: an experience from Jammu.

OBJECTIVE: To study the various types of liver abscesses. This prospective study was conducted over a period of one year, from November 2011 to October 2012, at the Department of General Surgery in Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital Sidhra, Jammu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients in this study were admitted from the emergency wing, and from indoor and outdoor departments of surgery and medicine over a period of one year (November 2011 to October 2012) to the Department of General Surgery in Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital Sidhra, Jammu. Patients of all age groups and both genders who presented with clinical suspicion of liver abscess, or had already been diagnosed, were included in the study. A definitive diagnosis of liver abscess was made based on compatible clinical features, ultrasonography and aspiration or drainage of pus. Diagnostic criteria for the various types of abscesses were as follows: Amoebic abscess: demonstration of Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites in aspirated pus. Pyogenic abscess: positive cultures of blood or aspirated pus. If both of the above sets of criteria were satisfied, the abscess was considered to be of mixed aetiology. Tuberculous abscess was diagnosed by identifying acid-fast bacilli in aspirated material and polymerase chain reaction. The abscess was classified as indeterminate if none of the above criteria were satisfied. RESULTS: The majority of patients in our study had amoebic liver abscesses (73.33%). Escherichia coli and Klebsiella were the most common organisms cultured from the pyogenic abscesses. The majority of patients with amoebic liver abscesses were treated with drug therapy alone, whereas all pyogenic liver abscesses required some form of drainage.

Estudio y tratamiento de los abscesos hepáticos / Study and treatment of liver abscesses

Liver abscess is an unusual but potentially lethal disease. We should be especially cautious in patients diagnosed with biliary pathology or immunosuppression, with right upper quadrant pain, fever or jaundice. The study should include images, cultures and serology for Entamoeba histolytica in certain scenarios. The treatment of pyogenic liver abscess is based on prolonged antibiotic therapy and usually in the drainage of the collection, which can be percutaneous, open or endoscopic. In case of amoebic liver abscesses, drug treatment -in two phases- achieve the parasitic removal at tissue and luminal levels, keeping the drain choice for larger abscesses.

El absceso hepático es una patología poco prevalente pero potencialmente letal. Se debe tener una alta sospecha en pacientes con patología de la vía biliar o inmunosupresión, que presenten dolor en hipocondrio derecho, fiebre o ictericia. El estudio debe incluir imágenes, cultivos y eventualmente serología para Entamoeba histolytica en determinados escenarios. El tratamiento de los abscesos hepáticos piógenos se basa en antibioterapia prolongada y habitualmente en el drenaje de la colección, el cuál puede ser percutáneo, abierto o endoscópico. En el caso de los abscesos hepáticos amebianos el tratamiento farmacológico, en dos fases, logra la eliminación parasitaria a nivel tisular y luminal, reservando el drenaje para los de gran tamaño.

Management of large amoebic liver abscess--a comparative study of needle aspiration and catheter drainage.

Amoebiasis in endemic in the tropical countries with amoebic liver abscesses being a common complication. Different modalities of treatment of amoebic liver abscess are conservative (medical management), percutaneous needle aspiration, percutaneous catheter drainage, surgical drainage and endoscopic drainage. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy, safety and outcome of needle aspiration comparing with percutaneous catheter drainage of large (> or = 5cm diameter) amoebic liver abscesses. This was a prospective study carried over a period of two years (2006-2008) at the general surgery department of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. A total of 45 patients were included in this study. All of them had amoebic liver abscess with diameter of abscess cavity > or = 5cm. They were divided into two groups. Group A included 22 patients and they were treated with needle aspiration. Group B included 23 patients and they were treated by catheter drainage. Improvement in clinical features, liver function tests, ultrasonic evidence of decrease in the size of abscess cavity was considered as criteria for successful treatment. The sex ratio and the age incidence in the two groups were similar. In about 80% patients the right lobe was affected, in about 18% the left lobe was affected and in rest the abscess involved both lobes. Needle aspiration was successful in 15 (68.2%) and catheter drainage was successful in 23 patients (100%). The mean hospital stay of patients treated with needle aspiration was more than those treated with catheter drainage. The mean time in days taken for 50% decrease in the size of abscess cavity was significantly greater in group treated with needle aspiration than in those treated with catheter drainage (9 days versus 4 days). It is concluded that percutaneous catheter drainage is more effective in management of large amoebic liver abscess than needle aspiration.

Amoebic liver abscess in travellers: indication for image-guided puncture?

Although amoebic liver abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide, invasive disease remains uncommon in industrialized countries. Metronidazole is the standard of care for complicated and uncomplicated invasive amoebiasis. Puncture of amebic liver abscesses is a treatment option primarily for complicated abscesses (localized in left lobe, multiple, and/or pyogenic abscesses). The role of image-guided percutaneous puncture in initially uncomplicated liver abscess formations still remains unanswered. A subset of patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscesses, however, fails to respond to conservative treatment alone. We report two cases of amoebic liver abscess formations in Austrian travelers. Two males, aged 67 and 43, presented with fever, chills and fatigue. Four months prior to admission both patients travelled together to Goa, India, for 4 weeks. Computed tomography showed uncomplicated liver abscess formations and serology for E. histolytica was positive in both patients. Therapy with metronidazole 500 mg four times daily was initiated. Computed tomography then showed an increase in size of liver abscess formations in both patients after 13 and 10 days of intravenous metronidazole therapy, respectively. Patient 1 developed pleural effusion and patient 2 additional liver abscess formations. Therefore CT-guided percutaneous therapeutic catheter drainage of liver abscess formations was performed in both patients without complications. Real time PCR of abscess drainage was positive for E. histolytica in both patients. After completion of metronidazole, paromomycin 500 mg three times daily was initiated for seven days for elimination of cysts and both patients were discharged without further complaints. This report highlights that conservative monotherapeutic treatment alone may not be sufficient in some patients with initially uncomplicated E. histolytica liver abscess. Implementation of additional image guided percutaneous puncture may reduce mortality and disease related costs.

Liver abscess presentation and management in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Liver abscess (LA) is a well-described disease in the medical literature; however, information about its characteristics and outcome in the Middle East is lacking. We compared the mode of presentation, risk factors, management and outcome of LA patients in Saudi Arabia with cases from the United Kingdom (UK). DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective review of LA patients from three tertiary care centers (2 from Saudi Arabia and 1 from the UK) over a period of 10 years, from 1995 to 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data collected included demographic characteristics; clinical presentation; biochemical, microbiological and radiological findings; treatment modalities; and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were diagnosed with LA, including 48 patients from Saudi Arabia and 35 patients from the UK. The mean (SD) age was 45.2 (20.3) years for those from Saudi Arabia and 55.4 (18.8) years for those from the UK (P=.022). The majority of the patients were males (70% from Saudi Arabia and 80% from the UK). Upper abdominal pain and fever were the commonest symptoms, each reported in 87% of the cases. Alkaline phosphatase elevation was the commonest liver function abnormality, seen in 66 (80%) patients. Organisms were isolated in 43 (52%) cases and the majority of these were coliforms (58%). Amebic liver abscesses occurred in 19 (23%) patients and all of those patients were either from or had traveled recently to the Indian subcontinent. Complete resolution of the abscesses was achieved in 66 (80%) patients with aspiration and/or antibiotics, and 9 (10.8%) patients died. On multivariate analysis, underlying malignancy, hypotension and chest signs at presentation were predictors of poor outcome (P=.008, .029 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Successful resolution of LA is achievable in the majority of the cases, although underlying malignancy is associated with poor outcome. Amebic liver abscesses must be considered in patients with a history of travel to endemic areas.

Catheter drainage versus needle aspiration in management of large (>10 cm diameter) amoebic liver abscesses.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) in the management of large (>10 cm diameter) amoebic liver abscesses. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with amoebic liver abscess were randomly allocated to PCD (n = 42) or PNA (n = 40). Intervention was done under ultrasonography (US) [mainly] or computed tomography guidance within 24 h of admission. PNA was repeated every 3rd day if the cavity size had not reduced to 50% of the original size, for up to three times. Persistence of cavity or of clinical symptoms was considered failure of treatment. Duration to attain clinical relief, duration of hospital stay, complications, treatment failure and deaths were recorded. RESULTS: PNA was successful in 32 (80%) patients (one aspiration in 4, two in 18 and three in 10 patients), while PCD was successful in 38 (90.5%) patients. Durations to attain clinical relief and parentral antibiotics required were significantly lesser in the PCD group. Hospital stay, although did not differ significantly, was lesser for PCD group. The only procedure-related complication due to PCD was rupture of abscess in two cases, leading to sepsis and death of one patient. Complications of PNA included pleural injury in one patient, and haemorrhage leading to subcapsular hematoma in another. CONCLUSION: PCD is a better treatment option than PNA for the management of large (>10 cm diameter) amoebic liver abscess, in terms of duration to attain clinical relief and duration for which parentral antibiotics were needed.

Absceso hepático: enfrentamiento diagnóstico y terapéutico / Liver abscess: clinical approach to diagnosis and therapy

El absceso hepático es una patología que al gastroenterólogo no infrecuentemente le corresponde enfrentar. El diagnóstico oportuno y tratamiento precoz de esta enfermedad permiten el control adecuado de la infección con bajos índices de mortalidad. Existen distintas opciones para su manejo, que incluyen: manejo antibiótico, drenaje percutáneo y drenaje quirúrgico. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la presentación clínica, los elementos diagnósticos y analizar las alternativas terapéuticas con las distintas indicaciones de cada una de ellas.

Liver abscess is a clinical entity that gastroenterologists not infrequently must contend. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of adequate therapy are associated with effective control of infection and low mortality rates. Several options for the management of liver abscess have been described, including: antibiotics therapy, percutaneous drainage and surgical management. This article reviews the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup and analysis of different treatment strategies and their indications.

Pyogenic versus amoebic liver abscesses. A comparative clinical study in a series of 58 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and with amebic liver abscess (AHA) in order to determine the potential factors that may help improve diagnosis and treatment for this disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of clinical histories of 45 patients with PLA and 13 with ALA, diagnosed between 1985 and 2005 in Donostia Hospital in San Sebastián. RESULTS: Among the 45 patients with PLA (30 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 61 years and 11 months), more than a half were cholangitic (13 cases) or were of unknown origin (15 cases). In 10 patients, diabetes was considered to be a predisposing condition. Increased ESR (> 30), leukocytosis (> 12,000), fever and abdominal pain were observed in 95.5%, 86.7%, 82.8% and 68.9%, respectively. Twenty-five patients had single abscesses. Abscess and blood cultures were positive in 77.1% and 50% of cases, respectively (44.4% with polymicrobial infection). E. coli and S. milleri were the most commonly found germs. A percutaneous drainage was performed on 22 patients. Mean hospital stay was 27 days, and overall mortality, including that related to concomitant conditions, was 7 of 45 cases.Of the 13 cases of ALA (7 men and 6 women, with mean age of 42,9 years), 2 were locally acquired. Increased AF and GGTP (> 2N), fever, leukocytosis and ESR (> 30) were observed in 92.3, 77, 70 and 61.5% of cases, respectively. There were single abscesses in 10 patients and all except one were located in the right lobe. The serological test for E. histolytica (IFF > or = 1/256) was positive in 100% of cases. A percutaneous drainage was carried out on 6 patients. Mean hospital stay was 18 days and two patients died. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the clinical parameters suggesting pyogenic origin were: age 50 or older, male gender, diabetes, moderately elevated bilirubin and transaminases. In amoebic cases the associated features were being aged 45 or younger, diarrhoea, and presence of a single abscess in the right lobe. Parasitism by E. histolytica must be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses, even with no epidemiological clinical history of travel and/or immigration.

Absceso hepático amebiano en el embarazo: reporte de un caso / Amebic liver abscess in pregnancy: a case report

La asociación de absceso hepático amebiano y embarazo es poco frecuente y se asocia a un aumento de la morbilidad y mortalidad materna. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 33 años, cursando un embarazo de 35 semanas, que ingresó a nuestro servicio con el diagnóstico de absceso hepático, cuya etiología fue E. histolytica.

The appearance of amebic liver abscess in pregnancy is uncommon and is associated to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. We report the case of 33 years old woman, with a 35 weeks pregnancy that was admitted in our Hospital with the diagnosis of liver abscess, whose etiology was E. histolytica.

[Analysis of factors associated to failure of medical treatment of amoebic liver abscess]. / Análisis de factores asociados al fracaso del tratamiento médico del absceso hepático amebiano.

INTRODUCTION: To identify the laboratory and ultrasound factors that could predict the response to medical treatment of amoebic liver abscess. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of patients diagnosis with amoebic liver abscess in Hospital Central in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. We included patients greater than 15 years of both sexes. We excluded those with probable pyogenic abscess, immunosupression, history of abdominal or biliary surgery, abdominal neoplasm abdominal or sepsis. We identified patients with good response to medical treatment and patients who needed the abscess drained. We studied the ultrasound findings, plasma levels of albumin, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. RESULTS: We analysed 45 patients, 31 had a good response (controls) and 14 needed drainage (cases). The medians of the variables with statistical significance in bivariate analysis were: albumin 2.65 g/dl and 1.7 g/dl (p < 0.001); alkaline phosphatase 133 U and 259 U (p = 0.02) and diameter of absences 5.9 cm and 9.95 cm (p < 0.001), controls and cases respectively. By logistic regression the diameter of the abscess showed a determination coefficient of 0.447 (p < 0.05) and OR = 14.85 (95% CI, 2.11-104.9) for drain if it was > or = 8 cm. CONCLUSIONS: A diameter bigger than 8 cm in hepatic amoebic abscess is associated with failure of medical treatment. Low albumin could be related to malnutrition and increased alkaline phosphatase with extrinsic compression of extrahepatic conducts due to big abscesses.

[Amebic liver abscess. Three years experience]. / Abscesos amebianos de hígado. Tres años de experiencia.

BACKGROUND: amebic liver abscess is frequently seen in endemic regions, and has a poor prognosis when diagnosis and treatment are inappropriate. AIM: to evaluate and compare our own results; to propose a new classification and therapeutic algorithm. DESIGN: an observational and retrospective study. METHOD: medical records were reviewed for sex, age, signs and symptoms, images, laboratory tests, size, location, treatment, hospital stay, and morbidity-mortality. RESULTS: sixteen patients with amebic liver abscess had been treated -9 were males, mean age was 30.56 years, all abscesses were solitary, 14 were in the right hepatic lobe, average size was 63.25, and 10 were of the collected type according to N Gbesso s classification. Seven patients had a good response to medical treatment, 6 needed percutaneous drainage, and 3 required surgery. Morbidity was 12.5% and mortality 0%. Average hospital stay was 7.68 days. CONCLUSION: our results are similar to those in other published series. The addition of two new groups to N Gbesso s classification provides better therapeutic orientation. We believe that early percutaneous drainage for collected abscesses bigger than 5 cm may improve symptoms and shorten hospital stay.

[Clinical experience of early percutaneous drainage of amebic hepatic abscess]. / Experiencia clínica con la punción temprana del absceso hepático amebiano.

BACKGROUND: Amebic hepatic abscesses are a frequent illness in Mexico, where these are different from those of the rest of the world. The treatment that we use should also be different. We propose new indications for percutaneous drainage in this pathology. In our hospital we found a high incidence in laparotomies, morbidity and lengthy hospitalization for this illness. METHODS: We studied 29 cases of hepatic abscesses treated at our hospital from January 2002 to May 2004. Patients received the conventional treatment and we compared this group with another group of 22 patients who had drainage before 48 h of hospitalization, during the period from June 2004 to August 2005. RESULTS: Both groups showed similar characteristics. The first group was drained only in 13.79% of cases, the second in 100%. In the first group, 44.82% had surgery and in the second group 4.5% had surgery. Length of hospitalization in the first group was 11.96 days and in the second, 4.76 days. CONCLUSIONS: We still have no clear indications of when to opportunely drain a hepatic abscess.

Liver abscess: a clinicopathological analysis of 82 cases.

Liver abscesses are a common pathology in India, but a strategy for effective treatment has not been established. Eighty-two patients with liver abscess were studied over a 4-year period. Clinical features, ultrasound findings, laboratory studies, and outcome of therapy were evaluated. Treatment options were antibiotics alone, needle aspiration, catheter drainage, or open surgical drainage; 51.2% of all abscesses were amebic, 23.2% were pyogenic, and 25.6% had unknown causes. A total of 75.6% of the abscesses were solitary, with 62.2% confined to the right lobe. Pyogenic abscesses were more likely to have anemia, leukocytosis, and deranged liver function. Amebic abscesses tended to have a larger volume. Patients undergoing catheter drainage showed a more rapid reduction in initial abscess volume, whereas resolution of the abscess cavity took longer with antibiotic therapy alone. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage are safe and effective in the management of liver abscess. Drug therapy alone may be useful only in select cases.