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Needle aspiration in large amoebic liver abscess
A Tandon1, A K Jain, V K Dixit
1Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Tropical Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Percutaneous needle aspiration combined with metronidazole therapy significantly speeds clinical recovery for large amoebic liver abscess (ALA) patients. This approach reduces fever, pain, and hospitalization duration compared to metronidazole alone.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- The therapeutic role of percutaneous needle aspiration for uncomplicated, large amoebic liver abscess (ALA) remains undefined.
- Amoebic liver abscess is a common extraintestinal manifestation of Entamoeba histolytica infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous needle aspiration in conjunction with metronidazole therapy for treating large amoebic liver abscesses.
- To compare clinical recovery rates between patients receiving combined therapy and those treated with metronidazole alone.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 29 patients with ALA (cavity > 5 cm) was conducted.
- Group A (n=15) received metronidazole plus needle aspiration; Group B (n=14) received metronidazole alone.
- Clinical parameters (fever, pain, tenderness) were monitored daily and hospitalization duration was recorded.
Main Results:
- Group A showed a statistically significant faster resolution of fever, pain, and abdominal tenderness compared to Group B.
- Patients in Group A experienced a shorter mean duration of hospitalization (5.8 days vs. 7.4 days; p < 0.001).
- Improvements in hematological and biochemical markers were comparable between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous therapeutic needle aspiration hastens clinical recovery in patients with uncomplicated, large amoebic liver abscess.
- The combination of aspiration and metronidazole offers a more rapid resolution of symptoms and shorter hospital stays.