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[Percutaneous drainage of amebic hepatic abscess by guided ultraound. Preliminary results]

A Mogollón Prado1, G Molina Sánchez, F Martínez Macías

  • 1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital General de Zona No. 1 IMSS, Aguascalientes, Ags., México.

Insights

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is an effective treatment for amebic hepatic abscess (AHA). This minimally invasive procedure offers a low morbidity option for patients failing medical therapy, with most patients discharged within 24 hours.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Interventional Radiology

Background:

  • Amebic hepatic abscess (AHA) is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis.
  • Current AHA treatment involves amebicides and, in select cases, percutaneous drainage.
  • Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage has emerged as a key intervention for managing AHAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the experience with ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage for amebic hepatic abscess (AHA).
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of this minimally invasive approach in a large patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 170 patients with AHA treated between 1990 and 1997.
  • Inclusion criteria: failure of medical therapy, abscess size >5 cm, risk of rupture, and accessible drainage.
  • Modified Seldinger technique utilized for ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage.

Main Results:

  • 131 patients required a single drainage procedure; 39 needed a second, and 4 required a third.
  • Only one patient underwent urgent surgery due to pleural rupture; five patients experienced complications overall.
  • All patients were discharged within 24 hours post-procedure, with no hospitalizations required.

Conclusions:

  • Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective treatment for amebic hepatic abscess (AHA).
  • The procedure demonstrates low morbidity when performed by experienced interventionist radiologists.
  • This technique facilitates rapid patient recovery and discharge, minimizing the need for hospitalization.

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