[Clinical and radiological differences between amoebic and pyogenic liver abscess: A case-control study].

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Context:

• Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) is a significant parasitic infection, ranking fourth in mortality.
• Distinguishing ALA from pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is crucial for effective management, especially in non-endemic regions.

Purpose:

• To compare the clinical, radiological, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with ALA versus PLA in a French tertiary care center.
• To identify key features that aid in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses.

Summary:

• This retrospective study analyzed 42 liver abscess cases (21 ALA, 21 PLA) from 2010-2020.
• ALA patients were younger, had fewer comorbidities, longer symptom duration, more abdominal pain, and less pronounced leukocytosis than PLA patients.
• Radiological findings showed higher ALA density, focal intra-hepatic biliary dilatation, and less frequent multiloculation on CT scans.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of considering ALA in patients with relevant travel history, even in Western countries.
• Provides clinicians with distinguishing features to improve diagnostic accuracy and timely treatment of ALA.
• Emphasizes that ALA, though rare, should not be underestimated due to its potential severity.