Liver abscess as a complication of regional enteritis: interventional considerations

Although intra-abdominal abscesses are relatively frequent in the setting of regional enteritis, liver abscesses are rare. Pylephlebitis, steroid administration, and biliary fistulization have been suggested as inciting factors. This report describes the first attempted percutaneous drainage of a liver abscess which was a complication of regional enteritis. The percutaneous drainage proved inadequate therapy due to significant disease outside the liver involving the bowel. A review of all cases reported to date in the literature suggests that although percutaneous drainage might prove to be a satisfactory temporizing measure, all patients will require surgical exploration for definitive therapy.