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Anaerobic liver abscess complicating radiation enteritis.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
|February 3, 1973
Summary
A 68-year-old woman with radiation enteritis developed multifocal liver abscesses caused by Bacteroides fragilis. Despite antibiotic treatment, the patient succumbed to the infection due to the inability to surgically drain the abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Radiation enteritis can lead to serious complications, including intra-abdominal infections.
- Liver abscesses are collections of pus within the liver, often caused by bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of multifocal liver abscess in a patient with a history of radiation enteritis.
- To highlight the challenges in managing such infections when surgical intervention is not feasible.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 68-year-old female patient.
- Clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and treatment course were documented.
- Microbiological cultures from liver and blood samples were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Multifocal liver abscesses were diagnosed in the patient.
- Two strains of Bacteroides fragilis were identified as the causative agents.
- The patient did not improve despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and lack of surgical drainage.
Conclusions:
- Bacteroides fragilis can cause severe liver abscesses, particularly in immunocompromised or debilitated patients.
- Management of liver abscesses in patients with radiation enteritis poses significant challenges.
- Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, including drainage when possible, are crucial for better outcomes.