Case report of falciform ligament abscess-The importance of early diagnosis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Ligaments, as peritoneal duplications, contain vascular and lymphatic channels that can facilitate infection spread.
• Primary inflammation of peritoneal ligaments is uncommon; abscess of the falciform ligament (FLA) is a rare pathological entity with poorly understood pathophysiology.
• FLA typically arises secondary to adjacent inflammatory conditions like acute cholangitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or pylephlebitis.

Observation:

• This report details a 67-year-old patient who developed an FLA during an episode of acute cholecystitis with left portal vein thrombosis.
• Diagnosis was established using ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) imaging.
• The patient's condition was effectively managed with antibiotic treatment.

Findings:

• Falciform ligament abscess (FLA) is a rare but severe inflammatory condition.
• Diagnosis relies on radiological modalities including US, CT, and MR.
• Treatment often involves a combination of conservative and surgical approaches, with interventional radiology also being an option.

Implications:

• Prompt diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic therapy are essential for managing FLA.
• Effective antibiotic treatment can potentially obviate the need for surgical intervention.
• Understanding FLA's pathophysiology is critical for timely and appropriate patient care.