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Perinephric abscess mimicking fulminant hepatic failure
S Teelucksingh1, D C Ariyanayagam, K F Fung
1Department of Medicine, U.W.I., Trinidad.
The West Indian Medical Journal
|June 1, 1994
Summary
A diabetic patient with apparent liver failure due to a hidden kidney infection showed rapid recovery after the abscess was drained. This case highlights how distant infections can mimic severe liver disease, emphasizing prompt diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) presents with rapid liver dysfunction.
- Diabetic patients are susceptible to various infections.
- Hepatobiliary disease is a common cause of liver dysfunction.
Observation:
- A female diabetic patient presented with symptoms mimicking hepatobiliary disease and signs of FHF.
- Clinical examination revealed signs of liver compromise.
Findings:
- A right perinephric abscess was identified as the underlying cause.
- Drainage of the abscess led to swift resolution of hepatic failure signs and biochemical markers.
- Infection remote from the liver can present as FHF.
Implications:
- Recognition of unusual infection presentations is crucial for timely diagnosis.
- Prompt identification and treatment of remote infections can prevent delayed management of liver failure.
- This case underscores the importance of considering non-hepatobiliary sources in suspected FHF.