[Clinical analysis of 36 cases with amebic liver abscess].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features of amebic liver abscess, the causes of misdignosis and the effect of medical and surgical therapy on patient's prognosis.

METHODS

The clinical features of 36 patients with amebic liver abscess admitted from 1982 to 1997 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The major clinical manifestations were: abdominal pain (86.1%), fever (86.1%), hepatomegaly with tenderness (83.3%) and right intercostal tenderness (58.3%). Leukocytosis was observed in 61.1%, and increased of ESR in 88.5% (23/28). Serologies against Entamoeba histolytica were noted in 92.6%. Ultrasonography showed single lesions in 75% and right-lobe involvement in 75%. All patients were treated with metronidazole and 27 patients received treatment with needle aspiration or draining at the same time. After treatment, 10 patients were cured, 25 patients were improved significantly and effective rate was 97.2%. One patient died of hepatic failure.

CONCLUSION

Medical therapy alone was excellent for small abscesses, while percutaneous needle aspiration or draining was a successful approach in patients with large abscesses.