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Amebic liver abscess: fine needle aspiration diagnosis
Maral Mokhtari1, Perikala Vijayananda Kumar
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Acta Cytologica
|March 26, 2014
Summary
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) accurately diagnoses amebic liver abscess (ALA) by identifying Entamoeba histolytica in liver lesions. This diagnostic method enables prompt treatment initiation for amebic liver abscess.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Cytopathology
Background:
- Amebic liver abscess (ALA) presents as a space-occupying lesion in the liver.
- Differential diagnosis often includes malignancy, necessitating accurate diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the cytomorphological findings of amebic liver abscess (ALA) obtained through fine needle aspiration (FNA).
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of FNA in cases suspicious for ALA.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound (US)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed on seven patients with suspected ALA.
- Patients presented with multiple liver lesions and a clinical history of amebic dysentery.
- Aspirates were analyzed for characteristic parasitic forms and inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- FNA smears revealed necrotic debris, mixed inflammatory cells, and Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites.
- Key diagnostic features included trophozoites with characteristic nuclear morphology and ingested red blood cells.
- Charcot-Leyden crystals were also observed in the aspirates.
Conclusions:
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a valuable tool for diagnosing amebic liver abscess (ALA).
- FNA facilitates early diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate treatment for ALA.
- ALA should be included in the differential diagnosis for hepatic space-occupying lesions.
