Related Experiment Videos

Solitary actinomycotic abscesses of liver: report of two cases

L-W Chen1, L-C Chang, S-S Shie

  • 1Liver Research Unit, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.

International Journal of Clinical Practice
|January 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatic actinomycotic abscesses, rare infections secondary to abdominal issues, can mimic tumors. These cases highlight the importance of considering actinomycosis in liver abscess diagnosis and its successful treatment with penicillin.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Hepatic actinomycotic abscesses are uncommon, often arising secondary to intra-abdominal infections.
  • A history of intra-abdominal surgery is a significant risk factor for their development.
  • These abscesses present indolently, sometimes being misdiagnosed as malignant liver tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report two cases of hepatic actinomycotic abscesses that mimicked liver tumors.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic challenges and clinical presentation of hepatic actinomycosis.
  • To highlight the effective treatment of these rare liver abscesses.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two patients with hepatic actinomycosis.
  • Review of clinical presentation, laboratory data (elevated alkaline phosphatase, leucocytosis), and imaging findings (multiloculated lesions with peripheral enhancement on CT).
  • Histopathological confirmation via echo-guided fine needle biopsy or surgical specimen, identifying sulfur granules.

Main Results:

  • Both cases presented with symptoms of fever, malaise, and abdominal pain, mimicking liver malignancies.
  • Imaging revealed characteristic multiloculated lesions with peripheral contrast enhancement.
  • Histology confirmed actinomycosis by the presence of sulfur granules.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatic actinomycotic abscesses are rare but important differential diagnoses for liver masses.
  • Prompt diagnosis based on clinical suspicion and characteristic histological findings is crucial.
  • Extended courses of penicillin are effective in resolving hepatic actinomycosis.

Related Concept Videos

Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...