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Published on: August 24, 2019
Anaerobic liver abscesses as initial presentation of silent colonic cancer
J A Alvarez1, R F Baldonedo, I G Bear
1Service of General Surgery, Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Spain. josealvar@telecable.es
Background:
Rarely, multiple liver abscesses caused by anaerobic organisms are the presenting form of unsuspected colonic cancer in the absence of liver metastases.
Case Outline:
A 68-year-old man was admitted with abdominal pain, fever and chills. Imaging scans and repeated cytology yielded a diagnosis of multiple liver abscesses. Pus cultures grew Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Peptostreptococcus spp. A search for the underlying cause led to the discovery of an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. After a 12-month postoperative follow-up, the patient is free of hepatic metastases.
Discussion:
Anaerobic liver abscesses should always alert the clinician to possible silent colonic carcinoma.
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