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Ruptured hepatic abscess: a rare cause of spontaneous pneumoperitoneum
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|November 1, 1982
Abstract:
A 68-yr-old woman who developed an acute abdomen with clinical and radiological evidence of pneumoperitoneum is is described. At surgery, multiple left lobe hepatic abscesses were identified. Perforation of one abscess was apparent. Bacteriological studies revealed Streptococcus faecalis and gas-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from the abscess cavities. Spontaneous pneumoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured hepatic abscess has to our knowledge never been reported.
Insights
A ruptured hepatic abscess caused spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in a 68-year-old woman. This rare case involved Streptococcus faecalis and gas-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatic abscesses are collections of pus within the liver, often caused by bacterial infections.
- Pneumoperitoneum, the presence of air in the abdominal cavity, typically indicates a perforated viscus.
Observation:
- A 68-year-old woman presented with acute abdomen and radiographic evidence of pneumoperitoneum.
- Surgical exploration revealed multiple abscesses in the left lobe of the liver, with one abscess clearly perforated.
Findings:
- Bacteriological analysis of the abscess cavities identified Streptococcus faecalis and gas-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- The clinical presentation suggests spontaneous pneumoperitoneum secondary to a ruptured hepatic abscess.
Implications:
- This case represents a previously unreported cause of spontaneous pneumoperitoneum.
- Highlights the importance of considering hepatic abscess rupture in the differential diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum, even in the absence of typical risk factors.