Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Hepatic abscess caused by foreign body ingestion: A case report
1Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Friendship Hospital Capital Medical University Beijing China.
Introduction:
Liver abscess is a common clinical condition caused by bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections, usually due to immunosuppression. In contrast, secondary liver abscesses are caused by specific factors such as foreign bodies, tumours, or appendicitis.
Methods:
We admitted a patient with secondary liver abscess and found an intrahepatic foreign body after interventional drainage. Initially, a foreign body of medical origin was suspected, but after a multidisciplinary consultation, it was determined to be caused by a foodborne foreign body. Laparoscopic surgery was then chosen as the treatment.
Result:
The liver abscess was caused by an alimentary foreign body, and the intrahepatic foreign body was identified as a fish bone measuring approximately 2.5 cm in length.
Discussion:
Upon diagnosing either primary or secondary liver abscess, aggressive treatment of the abscess focus is essential. However, in cases of secondary liver abscess, addressing and removing the underlying cause is necessary for complete resolution. For patients with a previously healthy liver, comprehensive history-taking is crucial, and imaging studies play a significant role in diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians and radiologists should be vigilant for the possibility of foreign bodies, tumours, or unexpected intra-abdominal inflammation, regardless of the patient's history. When dealing with food-borne foreign bodies, endoscopic intervention should be considered first, followed by laparoscopy, and as a last resort, open surgery.
Conclusion:
The diagnosis and treatment of liver abscess in clinical practice require a complete medical history and thorough imaging examinations. Ultrasound, as the initial imaging modality, allows real-time and dynamic observation of lesions. It is essential for ultrasonologists to consider the possibility of foreign body-induced liver abscess when diagnosing patients with liver abscess.
Insights
A secondary liver abscess in a patient was caused by a fish bone, a foodborne foreign body. Laparoscopic surgery was used for treatment, highlighting the importance of identifying underlying causes for liver abscess resolution.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Liver abscesses are common infections, often linked to immunosuppression.
- Secondary liver abscesses can result from foreign bodies, tumors, or appendicitis.
- Identifying the underlying cause is critical for effective treatment of secondary liver abscesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of secondary liver abscess caused by a foodborne foreign body.
- To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of intrahepatic foreign bodies.
- To highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex liver abscesses.
Main Methods:
- Interventional drainage of the liver abscess.
- Multidisciplinary consultation for diagnosis.
- Laparoscopic surgery for foreign body removal.
- Diagnostic imaging including ultrasound.
Main Results:
- An intrahepatic foreign body, identified as a 2.5 cm fish bone, was discovered after abscess drainage.
- The foreign body was determined to be of food origin.
- Laparoscopic surgery successfully treated the condition.
Conclusions:
- Secondary liver abscesses require aggressive treatment of the abscess and removal of the underlying cause.
- Thorough patient history and advanced imaging are crucial for diagnosing foreign body-induced liver abscesses.
- Ultrasonologists must consider foreign bodies as a potential cause of liver abscesses.
