Amebic abscess of the liver

Abstract

In a review of the records in 50 cases of amebic abscess of the liver observed in the Canal Zone between 1920 and 1945 the following features were noted:Incidence was preponderantly in males and highest in persons between the ages of 20 and 40. None of the patients was under 21 years of age. There was a great variety of complaints at the time of admission to hospital. The most common was pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Demonstration of either elevated or fixed diaphragm by x-ray film and fluoroscopic examination was useful in diagnosis in a number of cases, but absence of such findings did not rule out abscess of the liver. In some cases there was history of previous dysentery with blood in the stools.One or another of three operative procedures was used for drainage of abscesses in 39 patients. Of the 39, six died; in five of the six, multiple abscesses were present. Emetine hydrochloride was given to all patients.