Gas-containing hepatic abscess from an unusual etiology

Pyogenic hepatic abscesses used to be caused by an abdominal infection. Cholangitis due to stones is the commonest cause, followed by diverticulitis or appendicitis. Most patients presenting with pyogenic liver abscesses have a polymicrobial infection usually with Gram negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae are frequently implicated but they do not usually produce gas into the abscesses. We comment a case of a gas-containing liver abscess after an acute pancreatitis without any risk factor associated.     

Endoscopic drainage of pyogenic liver abscesses with suspected biliary origin

OBJECTIVES: Pyogenic liver abscesses remain an important and life-threatening clinical problem but their causes and management have changed over the last two decades. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the impact of an endoscopic approach in the management of liver abscesses with suspected biliary origin. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 16 patients suffering from pyogenic liver abscess, who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the setting of biliary diseases between January 1995 and December 2004. Nine patients had an underlying neoplastic disease; 13 had a history of biliary endoscopic maneuvers. When the collections were communicating with the biliary tree, an endoscopic drainage of the abscess was performed either by sphincterotomy, dilation, insertion of a nasobiliary catheter, or stenting. In noncommunicating liver abscesses associated with bile duct abnormalities, biliary decompression was obtained by insertion or replacement of biliary stents. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had liver abscesses communicating with the biliary system and underwent an endoscopic drainage of the cavity. Ten of these patients had an exclusive endoscopic drainage of the abscess, while four cases required additional percutaneous drainage. The two noncommunicating abscesses were associated with previous insertion of biliary stents; these were cured percutaneously after endoscopic stent replacement. Among the 16 patients, 13 had a rapid resolution of symptoms (81%). CONCLUSION: This initial clinical experience suggests that ERCP can demonstrate communications between the biliary tract and liver abscesses, and that an internal drainage of the cavity is feasible and safe.     

Unusual complication of amebic liver abscess: Hepatogastric fistula

Amebic liver abscess is a parasitic disease which is often encountered in tropical countries. A hepatogastric fistula secondary to an amebic liver abscess is a rare complication of this disease and there are only a handful of reported cases in literature. Here we present a case of an amebic liver abscess which was complicated with the development of a hepatogastric fistula. The patient presented with the Jaundice, pain and distension of abdomen. The Jaundice and pain improved partially after he had an episode of brownish black colored increase in frequency of stools for 5 to 6 d. Patient also had ascites and anemia. He was a chronic alcohol drinker. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed in view of the above findings. It showed a fistulous opening with bilious secretions along the lesser curvature of the stomach. On imaging multiple liver abscesses seen including one in sub capsular location. The patient was managed conservatively with antiamebic medications along with proton pump inhibitors. The pigtail drainage of the sub capsular abscess was done. The patient improved significantly. The repeat endoscopy performed after about two months showed reduction in fistula size. A review of the literature shows that hepatogastric fistulas can be managed conservatively with medications and drainage, endoscopically with biliary stenting or with surgical excision.     

A clinical study of liver abscesses at the Critical Care and Emergency Center of Iwate Medical University]

We studied 13 emergency cases of liver abscess. Five cases of septic shock or clouding of consciousness were identified on admission. Six patients had diabetes mellitus. Twelve patients met the diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and nine met the criteria for disseminated intravascular coagulation. Plasma endotoxin levels improved rapidly after drainage. Causative organisms were isolated in all patients, and the most common organism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (seven cases). Percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage (PTAD) was performed not only in single cases but also in multiple cases with main huge abscesses. Surgical treatment was performed in the following three cases: a ruptured abscess, an ineffective PTAD, and a case of peritonitis after PTAD. Irrigation of abscesses with strong acidic electrolyzed water revealed a significant decrease in treatment duration. In the majority of our cases, severe conditions were identified on admission. Strong acidic electrolyzed water was useful for management of PTAD.     

Appendicitis with psoas abscess successfully treated by laparoscopic surgery

Although acute appendicitis is a common disease, retroperitoneal abscesses are rarely observed. Here, we report a case consisting of a psoas abscess and cutaneous fistula caused by appendicitis. The patient was a 56-year-old male who was introduced to our institution due to an intractable right psoas abscess. Imaging tests had been performed over the previous 3 years; however, clinicians could not find the origin of the abscess and failed to resolve the problem. A successful operation was performed via a laparoscopic approach, and 17 mo have passed without recurrence. The advantage of laparoscopic surgery is well understood in cases of appendicitis with abscesses. However, the indication for laparoscopic approach is not clear for retroperitoneal abscesses. From our experience, we can conclude that appendicitis with retroperitoneal abscesses can be managed and treated using a laparoscopic approach.     

A case of Salmonella liver abscess]

Liver abscess can be caused by bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection. Amebic abscesses are more common, but pyogenic abscesses account for three quarters of hepatic abscess in developed countries. Most common pathogens of the pyogenic liver abscess are Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacteroides, Enterococci, Streptococci, and Staphylococci. However, liver abscess caused by Salmonella species has rarely been reported. We experienced a case of Salmonella liver abscess which improved after antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage. The patient was 52 years-old man who had an episode of intermittent fever, chills and epigastric pain for 2 weeks. He was diagnosed as liver cirrhosis eight years ago and diabetes three years ago. Salmonella group D, non-typhi was cultured from blood and pus from the liver respectively at the same time. With percutaneous drainage and susceptible antibiotic therapy, liver abscess decreased in size with improvements in fever and abdominal pain.     

Liver abscess after radiofrequency ablation of tumors in patients with a biliary tract procedure

AIM: The rate of liver abscesses after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumors is probably high in patients with a biliary tract drainage procedure connecting the biliary duct system to the upper gastrointestinal tract. And yet, to date this rate, the time of onset of these abscesses, and the prior status of the bile ducts have never been reported in the literature. METHODS: Among 574 patients treated with RFA over 8 years, only 11 patients (with 13 sessions of RFA, 2 patients undergoing two different RFA sessions) presented with an enterobiliary anastomosis or biliary stenting at the time of RFA. This is a retrospective study of patients who were verified prospectively. RESULTS: Among the 9 patients in whom a biliary tract procedure preceded RFA, 4 developed a liver abscess at the site of RFA, which emerged between 13 and 62 days after RFA. It occurred in spite of different types of short-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Pathogenic bacteria were typical of the digestive flora. Abscesses were cured after percutaneous drainage. No abscess occurred among the 4 patients in whom a biliary tract diversion was performed synchronously with RFA. CONCLUSION: When RFA is performed in a patient with a preexisting biliary diversion, the risk of developing a liver abscess is high. Currently, we are unable to recommend any kind of preventive antibiotherapy. A preexisting biliary diversion is not an absolute contraindication for RFA, but the risk of developing a liver abscess is close to 40-50%. When RFA is performed synchronously with a biliary diversion, the risk of a liver abscess seems to disappear.     

Perianal abscesses and fistulas

In a five and one-half year period, 1023 patients with anorectal abscesses and fistulas were treated. Under regional anesthesia the abscesses were unroofed and debrided and a primary fistulotomy was performed whenever a low fistula was identified. In 355 (34.7 per cent) an internal fistulous opening was demonstrated at the time of abscess drainage. Thirty-two patients had suprashincteric fistulas and underwent two-stage fistulotomy using a seton. Perianal abscesses were encountered in 42.7 per cent of the patients, followed by ischiorectal (22.7 per cent), intersphincteric (21.4 per cent), and supralevator (7.33 per cent). The patients with supralevator and intersphincteric abscesses had a high incidence of fistula identified during abscess drainage. The recurrence rates were 3.7 per cent in the group with abscess drainage only and 1.8 per cent in the group that had primary fistulotomy along with abscess drainage. The follow-up period averaged 36 months. To accomplish adequate drainage and identify the deeper components and associated fistulous opening (34.7 per cent of the entire group), careful examination under regional anesthesia is recommended. Early aggressive treatment of an anorectal abscess and fistula significantly reduces the possibility of recurrent abscesses and/or the need for further surgery. Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Boston, Massachusetts, June 5 to 9, 1983. Recipient of the 1983 Rowell Laboratories Education Committee Award.     

Brain abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a liver-transplanted child

Abstract: Brain abscesses are a rare, severe complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). They are almost exclusively due to fungi, Nocardia , or Toxoplasma , and usually occur within months of surgery. Here we report the case of an adolescent who developed a brain abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae 11.5 years after OLT. Fever was absent and laboratory parameters were not indicative of infectious disease, and therefore the diagnosis of a central nervous system neoplasm was considered. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy led to a diagnosis of a brain abscess, and to prompt appropriate antibiotic treatment. This case shows that K. pneumoniae may cause a brain abscess long after liver transplantation. The appearance of neurological symptoms should alert clinicians to consider a brain abscess even in the absence of overt clinical/laboratory signs of inflammation, which may be blunted by chronic immunosuppression.     

Ascending cholangitis as a cause of pyogenic liver abscesses complicated by a gastric submucosal abscess and fistula

Ruptures of nonamebic (pyogenic) liver abscesses into the thorax and peritoneum are very uncommon; but, hepatoduodenal and hepatocolonic fistulas are ever more rare. We report a case where ascending cholangitis was associated with pyogenic liver abscess formation and a gastric fistula. Drainage into the stomach was demonstrated by gastroduodenal endoscopy for gastric bleeding. After fistula formation, we could successfully treat the inflammation caused by infection of Citrobacter freundii and Candida albicans with intravenous infusion of both antibiotic and antifungal agents.     

Three cases of liver abscesses complicated with colon cancer without liver metastasis: importance of screening for digestive disease

We treated 3 patients complicated with colon cancer without liver metastasis, who were admitted to our hospital because of a high fever and diagnosed with liver abscesses. In a general screening after performing percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage, colon cancer was detected in each, though hepatobiliary diseases were not found. Hepatobiliary diseases were the most common etiology of hepatic abscesses in our hospital in the past 41 cases from 1990 to 2005, 3 of which were due to colon cancer. If a cause is not determined, general screening, especially of the colon tract, should be performed in hepatic abscesses patients.     

Liver abscesses secondary to sigmoid diverticulitis: report of four cases

INTRODUCTION: Pyogenic liver abscess often revealed by right sided abdominal pain and fever is a serious and life-threatening pathology. Biliary tract disease is the origin of the abscess in most cases but sometimes remains unidentified. A sigmoid septic source sometimes paucisymptomatic or hidden by an immunosuppressive treatment must be looked for. EXEGESIS: Here are four observations of liver abscesses, which are secondary to unknown sigmoiditis. The etiologic diagnosis was made either by abdomino-pelvic computed tomography or by enema with water-soluble products completed by a coloscopy. Each patient's liver abscesses were emptied by aspiration or catheter drainage in conjunction with antibiotics. Surgical treatment of sigmoiditis was performed either at the same time or later. CONCLUSION: Any liver abscess of unknown origin must lead to a search for unknown or disguised septic sigmoid pathology. Most of the time, injected abdomino-pelvic computed tomography makes the diagnosis possible, but enema associated with coloscopy is sometimes necessary.     

Liver abscess in inflammatory bowel disease: report of two cases and review of the literature

Hepatic abscesses are a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite the fact that certain hepatobiliary complications of IBD, including cholelithiasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and cholangiocarcinoma predispose patients with IBD to ascending cholangitis, previously published data does not demonstrate that biliary infection is an important mechanism underlying liver abscess development in these patients. We describe two patients with inflammatory bowel disease, both with PSC, who developed multiple liver abscesses, and review the literature on liver abscesses in association with inflammatory bowel disease.     

A case report of a lung abscess as a rare complication of a pyogenic liver abscess

Rationale:A hepatobronchial fistula and lung abscess following a pyogenic liver abscess is a rare entity and it is not easy to diagnose this condition based on the symptoms and chest radiography.Patient concerns:An 81-year-old man presented with productive cough and dyspnea.Diagnosis:Chest radiography indicated increased opacities in the right lower lung field with an air-fluid level suggestive of pneumonia complicated by a lung abscess. Chest and abdominal computed tomography revealed an abscess in the right lower lung field that bordered an abscess at segment 7 of the liver. Tubography confirmed a fistula between the liver and lung abscesses.Interventions:Due to communication between 2 abscesses, transhepatic approach was done instead of transpleural approach to avoid complications.Outcomes:A liver abscess complicated by a lung abscess was resolved following percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the liver abscess and antibiotic administration.Lessons:Though uncommon, the lack of suspicion of sub-diaphragmatic liver abscess often lead to a delay in diagnosis and proper treatment. Our case implies the importance of computed tomography in early diagnosis of liver abscess in case of lung abscess in the right lower lung field.     

Pyogenic liver abscess complicated by gastric fistula and bacterial meningitis]

A 77-year-old woman was admitted suffering from fever and headache. On laboratory examination, bacterial meningitis and sepsis due to Klebsiella pneumoniae were diagnosed. In addition, a hepatic cystic lesion measuring 13 cm in diameter in the left lobe was indicated on diagnostic imaging. After treatment with antibiotics, her signs of infection improved and the hepatic lesion decreased in size. After discharge, however, the cystic liver mass increased and a gastric fistula developed. Hepatic and gastric resections were performed because of the possibility of biliary cystadenocarcinoma and gastric invasion. Pathologically, a pyogenic liver abscess complicated by gastric fistula was diagnosed.     

A case of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection causing a buccal abscess complicated with multiple lung abscesses]

A 51 year-old man fitted with a dental prosthesis was hospitalized with buccal swelling, fever and chest pain. Laboratory data showed marked inflammatory changes, and chest radiography and CT scanning revealed small nodular shadows within the lung. A diagnosis of multiple lung abscesses secondary to a buccal abscess possibly caused by the prosthesis was made from needle aspiration biopsies of the lung nodules and of a buccal lesion. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from these lesions and from a blood culture. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and by surgical drainage of the buccal abscess. It is important to note that the patient was immunodeficient at the time as a result of diabetes and alcohol intoxication.     

Hepatobronchial fistula with percutaneous pyogenic abscess drainage of the liver

Percutaneous abscess drainage has been successfully used in the treatment of hepatic abscesses. We present a case of a posttraumatic pyogenic liver abscess treated by CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage with an unusual complication of a hepatobronchial fistula. Patient management and the subtle roentgenographic features of this case are presented. Early signs of hepatobronchial fistula including paroxysms of coughing and a peculiar metallic taste during the performance of an abscessogram are reported.     

Emphysematous prostatic abscess: a case report and review of literature

Emphysematous prostatic abscess, namely, is an inflammatory process associated with gas and abscess formation in the prostate gland. It is a rare clinical condition and a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of emphysematous prostatic abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in a 60-year-old man with a 5-year history of diabetes mellitus and a 6-year history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Computerized tomography confirmed the clinical diagnosis. We successfully treated the patient with parenteral antimicrobial agents and surgical drainage. The patient was discharged without any voiding difficulty.     

Percutaneous treatment of an intrahepatic abscess caused by a penetrating duodenal ulcer

We present a well-documented case of duodenal ulcer that penetrated into the quadrate lobe of the liver with subsequent abscess and fistula formation. An accurate diagnosis depended on the use of ultrasound to identify the presence of an abnormal gas pattern in the liver which had been mistaken for bowel on computed tomography. Successful percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance was then accomplished. This is the first recorded case we can find in which percutaneous drainage combined with antibiotic and H2 blocker therapy was able to supplant the surgical treatment of liver abscess with an enteric fistula. The diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed. Special reference is made to the use of ultrasound to overcome a major pitfall in the use of computed tomography for diagnosing liver abscesses with fistula formation.     

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.