Management of large amoebic liver abscess--a comparative study of needle aspiration and catheter drainage

Amoebiasis in endemic in the tropical countries with amoebic liver abscesses being a common complication. Different modalities of treatment of amoebic liver abscess are conservative (medical management), percutaneous needle aspiration, percutaneous catheter drainage, surgical drainage and endoscopic drainage. This study was carried out to compare the efficacy, safety and outcome of needle aspiration comparing with percutaneous catheter drainage of large (> or = 5cm diameter) amoebic liver abscesses. This was a prospective study carried over a period of two years (2006-2008) at the general surgery department of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. A total of 45 patients were included in this study. All of them had amoebic liver abscess with diameter of abscess cavity > or = 5cm. They were divided into two groups. Group A included 22 patients and they were treated with needle aspiration. Group B included 23 patients and they were treated by catheter drainage. Improvement in clinical features, liver function tests, ultrasonic evidence of decrease in the size of abscess cavity was considered as criteria for successful treatment. The sex ratio and the age incidence in the two groups were similar. In about 80% patients the right lobe was affected, in about 18% the left lobe was affected and in rest the abscess involved both lobes. Needle aspiration was successful in 15 (68.2%) and catheter drainage was successful in 23 patients (100%). The mean hospital stay of patients treated with needle aspiration was more than those treated with catheter drainage. The mean time in days taken for 50% decrease in the size of abscess cavity was significantly greater in group treated with needle aspiration than in those treated with catheter drainage (9 days versus 4 days). It is concluded that percutaneous catheter drainage is more effective in management of large amoebic liver abscess than needle aspiration.