Perinephric abscess in renal transplant recipients: report of seven cases and review

The experience of four kidney transplantation programs from 1975 to 1986 was reviewed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of perinephric abscess in renal transplant recipients. Seven cases were found, with a prevalence of 0.3% in 1,945 patients seen over a 12-year period in one program. Current prevalence appears markedly less than in older studies. Despite immunosuppression, signs and symptoms of perinephric abscess were prominent and included fever, flank and abdominal pain and tenderness, and abdominal mass. Perinephric abscesses were diagnosed 2 weeks to 52 months after transplantation and were associated with lymphoceles in two patients. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography were useful in diagnosis. Staphylococci (36%) and aerobic gram-negative rods (32%) were the most common pathogens in our seven patients combined with patients identified in a review of the English-language literature. Also of note were the presence of anaerobes (28%) and Candida albicans (4%). Therapy was successful in all of our seven patients.     

Pyogenic liver abscess: a 7-year experience in a large community hospital

This is a retrospective study of 27 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) seen over a period of 7 years. There were 10 males and 17 females whose ages ranged from 5 to 86 years (mean 56). Fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were the commonest symptoms, and abdominal tenderness was the commonest physical finding. An elevated alkaline phosphatase was seen in 78% of all patients and was the commonest biochemical abnormality. Biliary disease accounted for a third of all cases, and in 22% of the patients the abscesses were considered to be idiopathic. Ultrasonography and/or CT scanning was employed in the diagnosis and follow-up of all patients. Percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) and percutaneous drainage (PCD) under ultrasound or CT guidance was employed as the primary therapy in 24 patients. The procedure failed in 5 patients (18.5%), there was 1 complication (3.7%) and no deaths were seen as a result of these procedures. Three patients (11%) ultimately died of their abscesses. This study emphasizes the important role of percutaneous drainage as a complementary form of therapy to surgical drainage in the management of pyogenic liver abscesses.     

Perinephric abscess following extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

Since the introduction and widespread use of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), various complications have been noted. Perinephric hematoma and ureteral obstruction may be anticipated by urologists as potential problems. We report the first case of perinephric abscess encountered after 17 895 SWL treatments at our institution. A 65 year old woman presented 4 months following a second SWL procedure with a perinephric abscess and was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage. A review of the English literature revealed only 3 other cases of perinephric abscess following SWL. This diagnosis should be considered in early and late presentations of flank pain following SWL.     

Treatment by external drainage of perirenal abscess in AIDS

Fever of undetermined origin in a young white heroin addict with a positive HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), serology was secondary to a staphylococcal perinephric abscess. Ultrasound examination and tomodensitometry allowed the diagnostic. Percutaneous drainage led to complete recovery. Interventional radiology associated with antibiotherapy appears to be an alternative to surgery in the treatment of perinephric abscesses.     

Single and multiple pyogenic liver abscesses. Natural history, diagnosis and treatment, with emphasis on percutaneous drainage

The presenting features, modes of treatment and clinical course were reviewed for 55 patients with pyogenic liver abscess, seen at Duke University Medical Center over a 15-year period. Thirty-three patients had a solitary abscess and 22 had multiple abscesses. Most patients were between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Males predominated, 2.4:1. Major underlying conditions included biliary tract disease, malignancy and colonic disease. Eight patients, each with a solitary abscess, had no identifiable underlying condition. Symptoms and signs were nonspecific: fever, chills, focal abdominal tenderness and hepatomegaly were common. A raised serum alkaline phosphatase level was the most consistent abnormal laboratory finding. CT with contrast enhancement, radioisotope scanning and ultrasonography all accurately defined solitary hepatic abscesses. However, CT scan was more successful than other imaging techniques in detecting multiple abscesses. In seven patients the diagnosis was made only at laparotomy. Overall, a diagnosis of liver abscess was made in 50 living patients (91%). Microorganisms were recovered from pus and/or blood cultures of 44 patients (80%). Most common were enteric gram-negative facultative rods, anaerobic gram-negative rods, and microaerophilic streptococci. Single abscesses were more likely than multiple abscesses to contain more than one organism. All patients received antibiotics; the choice of antibiotic does not appear to be critical provided the regimen has a broad spectrum including activity against anaerobes. Surgical or percutaneous drainage was successful when attempted in all patients with a single abscess, but the outcome was less favorable in those with multiple abscesses. Percutaneous drainage is currently replacing open operative drainage as the method of choice. Overall mortality in patients with single abscesses was 15% (5/33) and in those with multiple abscesses 41% (9/22).     

Staphylococcal pneumonia in childhood: Will early surgical intervention lower mortality?

Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (SAP) continues to be a serious bacterial infection which is associated with a high incidence of complications. We retrospectively reviewed the case records of 36 infants and children admitted with SAP to the Sophia Children's Hospital between 1970 and 1992 to analyse changes over time in the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, management and complications. Fifteen of these 36 children (42%) were less than 1 year old. Fever (97%) and respiratory distress (83%) were the most common symptoms at the initial presentation. Chest X-ray findings on admission or during hospitalisation included pleural effusion (75%), pneumothorax (47%), and abscess and/or pneumatocele (39%). Diagnostic and/or therapeutic thoracentesis of pleural fluid was performed in 17 of the 36 patients (47%). Twenty-one patients (58%) needed chest tube drainage. Twelve had a thoracotomy (33%). Artificial ventilation was needed in 13 of the patients (36%). Extrapulmonary complications included convulsions in 6 patients (17%) and osteomyelitis in 2 children (6%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 36 days. Two of the 36 children died (6%). The low mortality rate in this study may be the result of the relatively high rate of thoracotomy and of improvements in supportive treatment. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1995; 20:83–88 . © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Yeast perinephric abscess: report of a case and review.

We report a case of yeast perinephric abscess and review 11 other published cases. This rare entity occurs primarily in patients who have diabetes mellitus, who have recently undergone surgery, or who have urinary tract obstruction. The clinical illness is often subacute or chronic with nonspecific symptoms. Candida and Torulopsis species are the reported etiologic agents. Successful therapy usually consists of percutaneous or surgical drainage of the abscess. Overall mortality is 25%; however, no patient in this series died as a direct result of perinephric infection.     

肾移植术后引起疑似阿米巴肝脓肿的诊治体会

一例肾移植术后患者出现发热、右上腹痛、果酱样便、肝脓肿,明确诊断后,给予抗阿米巴治疗、脓肿穿刺引流及脓腔冲洗,观察患者预后。治疗26d后患者体温完全降至正常,脓肿逐渐缩小。及时诊断、避免误诊。是提高移植术后阿米巴感染治疗成功率的关键。     

Acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess in Taiwan: clinical features, diagnosis, treatments and outcome

OBJECTIVES: To study the variations of aetiology in the patients with acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess and identify the appropriate diagnostic modalities as well as therapeutic alternatives (e.g. extraperitoneal or retrofascial percutaneous catheter drainage, PCD) other than surgery. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective review and analysis of 25 patients with acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess in our institution from August 1988 to July 1998. Blood and urine cultures, imaging studies of the plain films of the abdomen (KUB), ultrasonography (echo) and computed tomography (CT scan) were performed in all patients. The therapeutic regimens included antibiotics only, PCD or aspiration, and surgery. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 7: 18. The mean age was 64 years old. Diabetes mellitus (64%) was the dominant predisposing or associated factor. The most common aetiological source was urinary tract infection (52%) with enteric micro-organisms (Escherichia coli: 44% and Klebsiella spp.: 24%). Nineteen patients (76%) had pain in the abdomen, flank or back. Six cases (24%) were classified as 'primary' abscess, and only two patients survived. Nine cases were treated with antibiotics alone, only four responded and the others expired. Of the 15 cases receiving PCD or aspiration, five cases received subsequent surgical drainage or nephrectomy and survived. Another one case of Clostridia gas gangrene received emergency fasciotomy and expired. The total mortality was extremely high (11/25, 44%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that: (i) the aetiology of iliopsoas abscess may vary with the country of origin, with a preponderance of urinary tract infection in our Taiwanese series; (ii) a high index of suspicion is mandatory to enable early diagnosis of acute pyogenic iliopsoas abscess, particularly for older diabetic patients with fever, pain in the abdomen or flank, limp or flexion of the ipsilateral hip; (iii) CT scan can confirm the diagnosis and define the extent of the abscess; (iv) effective management should include appropriate antibiotic therapy and drainage of the abscess; (v) image-guided PCD should be tried first because of its low morbidity. However, should it fail, subsequent surgical drainage should be performed.     

Splenic abscesses: review of 29 cases

Splenic abscess is an unusual and potentially life-threatening disease. Due to the nonspecific clinical picture, it remains a diagnostic challenge. Splenic abscess should be suspected in febrile patients with left upper quadrant tenderness and leukocytosis, and diagnosis confirmed based mostly on imaging studies, microbiologic and / or pathologic evidence, or by response to antibiotic or antifungal treatment. We present 29 cases of splenic abscess treated in our hospital from 1990 to 2001. There were 18 male patients (62%) and 11 female patients (38%). Ages ranged from 4 to 85 years, with a median of 44 years. There were five pediatric patients (17%) and 24 adults (83%). The most common associated condition was leukemia. Most patients were immunocompromised (72%). The more common signs and symptoms were fever (90%), chills (41%), abdominal pain (31%), and leukocytosis (38%). Ultrasonography of the abdominal cavity was positive in 27 cases (93%); computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was used in 26 patients (90%) and was positive in all patients. The abscess was solitary in 21 cases (72%) and multiple in eight cases (28%). Positive blood cultures were found in only seven patients (24%). According to the literature, the treatment of choice is still splenectomy, but in our study, the success rate of 75% with antibiotics alone indicates that antibiotic therapy should be considered an important alternative treatment modality in patients not suitable for percutaneous drainage and splenectomy.     

Percutaneous postoperative intra-abdominal abscess drainage after elective colorectal surgery

Intra-abdominal abscesses are a frequent source of morbidity and mortality following both elective and emergent surgery of the alimentary tract. CT-guided percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscess is an alternative to immediate surgical intervention. We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses arising after elective colorectal procedures. We retrospectively identified 40 patients with postoperative intraabdominal abscess following elective colorectal surgery who underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage with a Von Sonnenberg sump drain between 1990 and 1998. The most common presenting symptoms were pyrexia in 39 (97%), abdominal tenderness in 32 (80%), guarding in 1 (2.5%) and abdominal mass in 3 (7.5%); no patient had generalized peritonitis. The most common index procedure was proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis and ileal Jpouch in 12 (30%) patients. Drainage was performed using an anterior approach in 32 (80%) and a transgluteal window in 8 (20%) patients. Thirty-five (87.5%) patients had a single collection, while 2 (5.0%) patients had 2 collections and 3 (7.5%) patients had 3 collections. Thirteen (32.5%) patients had perioperative steroids, 30 (75%) had preoperative antibiotics, and 40 (100%) had postoperative antibiotics. Follow-up at a mean of 35.8 days revealed complete resolution of abscess in 26 (65%) patients; 14 (35%) patients had residual or recurrent abscess successfully treated by repeat drainage in 8 patients and requiring laparotomy in 6. Percutaneous CT-guided abscess drainage is an effective method for treating intra-abdominal abscess following elective colorectal surgery. The primary success was 65% after the first and 85% after a second drainage. In conclusion, this technique should be considered as the treatment of choice in patients with localized intra-abdominal abscess without signs of generalized peritonitis. Received: 20 July 2002 / Accepted: 4 November 2002     

Perinephric abscess caused by Streptococcus agalactiae after renal transplantation

We describe the case of a 37 year-old diabetic woman who presented with a multiloculated perinephric abscess caused by Streptococcus agalactiae 12 months after receiving a living-related kidney graft. Infection was successfully treated with surgical drainage and a four-week course of antibiotic therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a perinephric abscess caused by this agent in a renal transplant recipient.     

细菌性肝脓肿58例

目的:总结分析细菌性肝脓肿的临床特征及相关实验室检查结果,为该病的诊断和合理治疗提供依据.方法:总结我院2000-06/2011-12的58例确诊细菌性肝脓肿患者的临床资料,回顾性分析该病的临床特征、实验室检查、影像学、病原学及治疗特点.结果:58例细菌性肝脓肿患者最常见的临床表现为畏寒发热(94.8%)及右上腹痛(58.6%).糖尿病(46.5%)为最常见的合并症.血清碱性磷酸酶(77.6%)、白细胞(70.7%)和纤维蛋白原(60%)升高最常见.最常见的细菌为肺炎克雷伯菌(17.2%).脓肿多为单个(86.2%),肝右叶居多(81.1%).所有患者均选用联合抗生素治疗,其中26例患者(44.8%)行穿刺抽脓或置管引流,3例患者(5.2%)行手术治疗,1例患者(1.7%)死亡.结论:患者临床表现为畏寒发热、右上腹痛时应高度警惕细菌性肝脓肿可能,尤其是糖尿病、胆管疾病及恶性肿瘤患者.病原学仅在部分患者出现阳性结果,而血清碱性磷酸酶、白细胞和纤维蛋白原升高更常见,可能对临床诊断具有提示意义.抗感染结合穿刺抽脓或置管引流是临床安全有效的治疗手段.     

Five patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma, resulting in presence of gas within either in the collecting system or perinephric space. We herein report our experience with 5 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis in 2 men and 3 women managed by broad spectrum antibiotics, supportive measures including hemodialysis (2 patients), ureteral stenting (2 patients), surgical drainage of perinephric collection (1 patient), and control of diabetes mellitus (4 patients). Four patients were discharged after a mean hospital stay of 18 days. A nondiabetic male patient with a nonobstructed kidney died on the second postoperative day due to persistent septicemia despite nephrectomy. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a potentially fatal disease requiring careful and prompt diagnosis and individualized rational therapy. Ureteropelvic stenting should be used for drainage of pent-up collections as a lifesaving measure through relieving the obstruction. Perinephric fluid collection should be drained either percutaneously or surgically.     

Abcès de la rate : du diagnostic au traitement

Splenic abscess is septic collection which occurs after haematogenous spread or local dissemination. Splenic abscess is an uncommon and rare condition, more frequently affecting male and immunocompromised patients. There are no guidelines regarding its diagnosis and management. Computed tomography (CT) scan is highly sensitive and specific (95% and 92%, respectively) in the diagnosis of splenic abscess. Diagnosis is based on blood cultures which are positive in 24 to 80% of cases. Bacterial growth culture of abscess after drainage is more efficient (50?80%) and can be performed after surgery or percutaneous drainage under imaging, including CT scan. Microorganisms involved are frequently enterobacteriaceae, gram-positive cocci and anaerobes. This particular ecology leads to an empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, with a variable duration, from 10days to more than one month. Management remains very close to the one applied in case of liver abscesses. The role of splenectomy in the prevention of recurrence remains controversial. We reviewed the literature regarding splenic abscesses, from diagnosis to therapy.     

Ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of 52 patients with amebic liver abscess in Cairo

Clinical characteristics of 52 patients with amebic liver abscess are reported. Forty-two percent had an acute illness, usually with high fever, vomiting, sweating, pain in the abdominal right upper quadrant, and leukocytosis. The other 58% had a more chronic illness, usually with a dull ache in the right upper abdomen, weight loss, fatigue, moderate or low-grade pyrexia, and anemia. Hepatomegaly and hepatic tenderness were present in all patients; fever occurred in 75%. The diagnosis was strongly suggested by amebic antibodies in high titer and hepatic abscesses demonstrated by sonography. Mean abscess diameter was 9.2 cm; 37% were larger than 10 cm. Most abscesses were solitary (81%), in the right lobe (73%), rounded or oval (78%), cystic (57%), and had a well-defined wall (53%). However, 43% were initially solid or heterogeneous. The latter lesions always developed a cystic pattern when ultrasonography was repeated. The diagnosis was confirmed by a good clinical response to metronidazole in 50 patients. Complications included right-sided pleural effusions or empyema (13%), ascites (13%), and jaundice (13%). Drainage of large abscesses was performed in four patients. All 52 patients survived and were cured.     

Obturator internus muscle abscess in children: report of seven cases and review.

Obturator internus muscle (OIM) abscess is an uncommon entity often mistaken for septic arthritis of the hip. We describe seven children with OIM abscess and review seven previously reported cases. The most common presenting symptoms were hip or thigh pain (14 patients), fever (13), and limp (13). The hip was flexed, abducted, and externally rotated in 11 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) were diagnostic for OIM abscess in the 14 patients. Associated abscesses were located in the obturator externus muscle (5 patients), psoas muscle (2), and iliac muscle (1). The etiologic agents were Staphylococcus aureus (8 patients), Streptococcus pyogenes (2), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (2), and Enterococcus faecalis (1). Three patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous drainage, and three had surgical drainage. Three patients had ischial osteomyelitis in addition to OIM abscess. The 11 children with uncomplicated OIM abscess were treated for a median of 28 days. All patients had an uneventful recovery.     

Palliative percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage of gallbladder empyema before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study is conducted to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the treatment of gallbladder empyema. We also determine the sonographic findings, causative organism, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory data, associated underlying medical disorders and the complications related to both cholecystostomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and forty-five cases of gallbladder empyema were included in this study which was composed of 80 males and 65 females, aged 22-94 years with a mean age of 71-years. All patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out thereafter. We analyzed the clinical presentations (signs, symptoms, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings, concomitant medical disorders), causative organisms and the complications related to percutaneous cholecystostomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage was performed successfully in all patients within 48 hours after clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Complications related to percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage were bile leakage after tract dilatation noted in 2 patients (1.4%), and 20 (14%) patients had pain at the puncture site which radiated to the right shoulder during the procedure, but resolved spontaneously within an hour later. On admission, 102 (70%) patients presented as right upper quadrant pain, 39 (27%) as epigastric pain, 90 (62%) as fever, 108 (74%) patients had leukocytosis, and 33 (22.7%) patients were septic. AST and ALT were elevated in 57% and 51% of patients, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 56% of patients, and 34% of those patients had combined common bile duct stones. Gallbladder stones were documented in 135 (93%) patients, while the remaining 10 (7%) cases were acalculous. Five (3.4%) patients had combined gallbladder adenocarcinoma, 7 (4.8%) had liver abscess, while 13 (9%) had biliary pancreatitis. The ultrasonographic findings included gallbladder distension (93%), wall thickening (90%), pericholecystic fluid accumulation (15%), intraluminal sludge or stone (93%) and intraluminal air (13.9%). Bile culture were positive in 83% of the cases and showed gram-negative bacteria in 75%, gram-positive in 30%, anaerobes in 7%, while no growth in the remaining 17% of the cases. The common pathogens were Escherichia coli (57%), Enterococcus (27%), Klebsiella pneumonia (18%), Morganella morganii (7.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.1%) and Salmonella (0.7%). The total postoperative complication rate was 17%, which included wound infection, bleeding, subhepatic abscess, cystic duct stump leak, common bile duct injury and pneumonia. Postoperative mortality was 2.6%. Conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 27%. Clinical conditions improved within 48 hours after cholecystostomy in 93% of patients. Time interval between cholecystostomy and elective cholecystectomy was 2-21 days with a mean of 4 days. Total hospital stay was 5-38 days (mean: 11 days). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage is a safe and effective procedure for the initial management of gallbladder empyema. We highly recommend this preoperative drainage procedure in patient with sepsis, and for those high-risk patients such as old age and with underlying medical illnesses. This procedure can stabilized the patient so that an appropriate therapeutic planning can be achieved.     

Actinomycosis of the central nervous system

Actinomyces species are rare but treatable causes of CNS infection. Differentiation of actinomycosis from nocardiosis is crucial to the selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. A review of 70 cases of CNS actinomycosis was conducted in an effort to characterize clinicopathologic features and identify patients with a high risk of death from infection. Types of lesions included brain abscess (67%), meningitis or meningoencephalitis (13%), actinomycoma (7%), subdural empyema (6%), and epidural abscess (6%). Most infections developed from distant sites (lung, 19 cases; abdomen, four; pelvis, three) or contiguous foci (ear, sinus, and cervicofacial region, 21 cases). For nonmeningitic infection, signs and symptoms were generally those of a space-occupying lesion and were indistinguishable from the manifestations of other pyogenic infections except for a longer interval before diagnosis. Risk factors included dental caries; dental infection; recent tooth extraction; head trauma; gastrointestinal tract surgery; chronic otitis, mastoiditis, or sinusitis; chronic osteomyelitis; tetralogy of Fallot; and actinomyces infection of an intrauterine device. Optimal management combined adequate surgical drainage with prolonged antibiotic therapy (mean duration, 5 months). Overall mortality from treated infection was 28%; 54% of survivors had neurologic sequelae. Features correlated with a poor prognosis were disease onset greater than 2 months before diagnosis and treatment, no antibiotic treatment, no surgery, and needle aspiration drainage of abscess lesions.     

Emphysematous urinary tract infections: diagnosis, treatment and survival (case review series)

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous urinary tract infections are rare conditions, usually occurring in diabetic patients. Mortality rates in medically managed patients are reported to be as high as 70% to 90%. Growth of the diabetic population warrants heightened attention to these potentially fatal infections. We report a series of 5 cases with favorable outcomes. CASE REPORTS: All patients were diabetic. Presenting symptoms included fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. On physical examination, two patients had costovertebral angle tenderness; a third was dehydrated; a fourth had dehydration and an abdominal mass; and a fifth patient had suprapubic tenderness. All cases had leukocytosis and impaired renal function. Computed tomography (CT) scan disclosed emphysematous pyelonephritis in 3 cases (gas within renal parenchyma and/or perirenal tissue), emphysematous pyelitis in 1 case (gas in collecting system), and emphysematous cystitis in 1 patient (gas within bladder wall). Urine culture of 1 case grew Enterococci, whereas in the other cases cultures yielded gas-producing organisms. All patients received intravenous antibiotics. Two patients underwent CT-guided abscess drainage; 2 cases had J-stent placement, and one patient was readmitted with septic shock and underwent nephrectomy. All the patients' conditions improved and they were discharged. DISCUSSION: Emphysematous urinary tract infections are usually caused by gas-producing organisms. They should be suspected in diabetic patients with urinary tract infections and worsening of renal function. CT scan is the method of choice for diagnosis and follow up. None of our patients died, mainly due to early diagnosis, sequential radiologic assessment, and timely surgical intervention when needed.