Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2024 Mar:116:109343.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109343. Epub 2024 Feb 2.

A case report and treatment considerations for pyogenic liver abscess with biliary fistula

Affiliations
Case Reports

A case report and treatment considerations for pyogenic liver abscess with biliary fistula

Abdirahman Ahmed Omar Alasso et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the formation of space-occupying lesions within the liver parenchyma. Despite advancements in diagnostic imaging and antibiotic therapies, complications such as biliary fistula formation can arise, posing challenges in management.

Case presentation: This case study presents a 23-year-old male patient with PLA complicated by a biliary fistula. Diagnostic imaging via CT scan and MRI confirmed a liver abscess and biliary dilation. The patient underwent a second drainage for ascitic fluid following the initial percutaneous liver catheter drainage.

Clinical discussion: The patient responded positively to the treatment, with reduced abscess size and fistula resolution. While endoscopic interventions offer promising results, their limited availability necessitates alternative treatment strategies, such as percutaneous drainage and appropriate antibiotics.

Conclusion: This case emphasises the importance of individualized management approaches for PLA complicated by biliary fistulas. Despite the challenges, successful outcomes can be achieved through careful management and appropriate treatment strategies.

Keywords: Biliary fistula; Case report; Complication; Liver abscess; Pyogenic.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement The author(s) do NOT have any potential conflicts of interest with respect to this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The first post-intravenous contrast MSCT abdomen axial cut shows a relatively well-defined cystic focal lesion in segment VI of the right hepatic lobe (black arrow), which is a hepatic abscess. The lesion is associated with mild biliary dilatation(white arrow).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
2nd post, the MSCT scan of the abdomen with oral contrast showed an abnormal air density in segment VI of the right hepatic lobe as well as mild splenomegaly and Ascetic collection. Percutaneous drainage is visible within the collection (black arrow).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
MRI abdomen T2 axial cuts show a heterogeneous focal lesion in the right hepatic lobe, mild ascites, and dilated biliary channels.

References

    1. Serraino C., Elia C., Bracco C., et al. Characteristics and management of pyogenic liver abscess. Medicine. 2018;97(19) doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010628. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. KAPLAN G, GREGSON D, LAUPLAND K. Population-based study of the epidemiology of and the risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess. Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2004;2(11):1032–1038. doi:10.1016/S1542-3565(04)00459-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sugiyama M., YA. Pyogenic hepatic abscess with biliary communication. The American Journal of Surgery. Published online. 2002:205–208. - PubMed
    1. Malik A.A. Pyogenic liver abscess: changing patterns in approach. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2010;2(12):395. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v2.i12.395. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lee N.K. CT differentiation of pyogenic liver abscesses caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae vs non-Klebsiella pneumoniae. Br. J. Radiol. 2011;84:508–525. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources