Ultrasonographic evaluation of morphologic pattern of amoebic liver abscess

We evaluated sonographically 250 cases of amoebic liver abscess (ALA). Seventy eight percent (78%) of the ALA was located in the right lobe of the liver and 15% in the left lobe and rest of the abscesses occupied both lobes. ALA was round in 50% and oval in 40% of the cases without significant wall echoes. Eighty eight percent (88%) of these were inhomogeneous. Twenty one percent (21%) of these lesions was contiguous with the liver capsule. Post therapy sonographic evaluation showed that there was complete resolution of the abscesses within one year in 90% cases, other showed residual abnormalities in the form of hypoechoic in 7% and hyperechoic in 3% cases. We concluded that serological and clinical data in combinations with these non specific sonographic features are sufficient for the management and follow up of ALA obviating the need for expensive and invasive techniques in most of the cases.