A Unique Case of Empyema Secondary to Amoebic Liver Abscess.
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ABSTRACT: An amoebic liver abscess is an extraintestinal manifestation of amoebiasis that can present with complaints such as right upper quadrant pain and fever. It might not necessarily be associated with abdominal complaints and can have many other atypical presentations. It may present with lung diseases, cardiac diseases, or brain abscesses. We present a case of a patient with empyema secondary to amoebic liver abscess whose diagnosis was delayed due to an unusual presentation. A combination of radiology, serology, and therapeutic interventions led to the accurate management of the patient.
Project description:BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestation and predictive risk factors of pleural empyema developing during treatment of the pyogenic liver abscess.MethodsMedical records of patients with the liver abscess in our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Enrolled patients were classified into four groups; Group 1: patients without pleural effusion, Group 2: patients with pleural effusion and who were treated noninvasively, Group 3: patient with pleural effusion and who were treated with thoracentesis, and Group 4: patients with pleural effusion that developed into empyema. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestation, and possible risk factors in development of empyema were analyzed.ResultsA total of 234 patients was enrolled in this study. The incidence rate of empyema was 4.27% (10 patients). The mean interval for developing pleural effusion was 5.6 ± 6.35 days. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for developing pleural effusion included the location of the liver abscess near the right diaphragm (segment 7 and 8, OR = 2.30, p = 0.048), and larger diameter of the liver abscess (OR = 1.02, p = 0.042). Among patients who developed pleural effusions, presences of mixed microorganisms from culture of liver aspirates (OR = 10.62, p = 0.044), bilateral pleural effusion (OR = 46.72, p = 0.012) and combined biliary tract inflammation (OR = 21.05, p = 0.040) were significantly associated with the need for invasive intervention including surgery on effusion.ConclusionThe location of the liver abscess as well as pleural effusion, elevated inflammatory markers, and combined biliary tract inflammation may be important markers of developing pleural complication in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.
Project description:Severe pulmonary infections after bronchoscopy and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) are uncommon. We report a rare case of lung abscess and empyema after a routine TBLB performed for the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Project description:BACKGROUND:Vertebral osteomyelitis can be attributed to many factors including immunosuppression, diabetes, malignancy, collagen disease, periodontal disease, open fractures, and endoscopic procedures. Anaerobic bacteria, such as Veillonella species, are found in the oral cavity and are rarely implicated in the infection. This report describes vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to a dental abscess with positive Veillonella cultures. CASE DESCRIPTION:A 76-year-old man presented to the hospital due to back pain with a four-day history of fever and chills. CT scans revealed several abscesses in the lumbar region as well as indications of vertebral osteomyelitis. After a psoas drain, the patient began antibiotics with a combination of ampicillin-sulbactam, metronidazole, and levofloxacin, but due to the patient's penicillin allergy, he was initially desensitized to this antibiotic for a significant period of time. Laminectomies, foraminotomies, and facetectomies were performed, but the infection spread to vertebral levels. The patient was then switched to a combination of vancomycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin which eliminated the infection. Final laminectomy was performed with posterior segmental instrumentation and arthrodesis. Post-operatively, there were no signs of infection. The patient recovered well and regained mobility. Deeper examination of the patient's medical history revealed a severe tooth abscess immediately before the onset of bacteremia. CONCLUSION:We believe that a delay in the onset of antibiotic treatment is what led to the initial bacteremia that ultimately took root in the lower lumbar vertebrae. To the best of our ability, we could identify only one other case that linked vertebral osteomyelitis to the oral cavity.
Project description:BackgroundPyogenic liver abscess (PLA) could be fatal even after standard treatment with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, bevacizumab or microwave ablation may cause PLA, respectively. This paper presents the first case of PLA secondary to the concomitant use of microwave ablation with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in the treatment of liver cancer.Case descriptionA 54-year-old Chinese man with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C-stage liver cancer complained of fever and chills twenty-nine days after concurrent microwave ablation plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Post-hospitalization, a computed tomography revealed a rim-enhancing hypodensity within the right lobe of the liver, approximately 8.8 cm in diameter containing foci of gas. Laboratory examination revealed elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, and blood culture indicated the presence of Escherichia coli bacteremia. The patient was diagnosed with PLA complicated by septic shock, and due to recurrent fever, multiple courses of antibiotics (imipenem/cilastatin sodium, cefoperazone/sulbactam, meropenem, respectively) were administered in combination with five percutaneous drainages over the next 90 days. The patient's fever eventually resolved, and the patient was discharged. The patient was re-treated with two cycles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab initiated in March 2024. An imaging evaluation in May 2023 demonstrated tumor progression. Subsequently, the patient underwent one transarterial chemoembolization procedure and two cycles of atezolizumab and bevacizumab over the subsequent 2 months. Notably, the patient achieved a complete response at the July 2024 imaging evaluation.ConclusionsIn patients undergoing atezolizumab and bevacizumab, the potential risk of PLA versus the antitumor benefit of microwave ablation requires to be assessed. The use of multiple courses of antibiotics over a prolonged period did not appear to influence the effectiveness of atezolizumab and bevacizumab. Further studies are, however, needed to substantiate this finding.
Project description:Pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that is classified as transudate or exudate according to its composition and underlying pathophysiology. Empyema is defined by purulent fluid collection in the pleural space, which is most commonly caused by pneumonia. A lung abscess, on the other hand, is a parenchymal necrosis with confined cavitation that results from a pulmonary infection. Pleural effusion, empyema, and lung abscess are commonly encountered clinical problems that increase mortality. These conditions have traditionally been managed by antibiotics or surgical placement of a large drainage tube. However, as the efficacy of minimally invasive interventional procedures has been well established, image-guided small percutaneous drainage tubes have been considered as the mainstay of treatment for patients with pleural fluid collections or a lung abscess. In this article, the technical aspects of image-guided interventions, indications, expected benefits, and complications are discussed and the published literature is reviewed.
Project description:BackgroundAmoebiasis is a prevalent infection in the tropics and can sometimes present as liver abscess. Cardiac tamponade is an uncommon complication of ruptured amoebic liver abscess requiring urgent pericardiocentesis, which has a high success rate, but procedural complications can include injury to cardiac chambers, abdominal viscera, and even death. This case underscores the approach to diagnose and manage an unintended visceral puncture during pericardiocentesis, which is a rare but life-threatening complication.Case summaryA 41-year-old male presented with intermittent fever over 2 months and chest pain for 15 days. Echocardiography revealed a significant pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade. In an emergency setting, percutaneous pericardiocentesis was attempted to drain the effusion. However, the pigtail inadvertently punctured a sizable liver abscess. Consequently, another pigtail was inserted into the pericardial cavity to successfully drain the effusion. Patient was discharged on Day 12 and is doing well at 6 months follow-up.DiscussionA previously undiagnosed case of a ruptured amoebic liver abscess presented with the uncommon complication of cardiac tamponade, necessitating emergency pericardiocentesis, which inadvertently led to the cannulation of the liver abscess. This case underscores the significance of image-guided pericardiocentesis in minimizing procedural complications. This case also highlights the intricacies of addressing accidental visceral puncture during pericardiocentesis, specially involving the liver. It also underscores the need to consider the possibility of a ruptured amoebic liver abscess when anchovy sauce-like pus is drained from pericardial cavity, especially in high epidemiologically prevalent country like India.
Project description:IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory tract infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Recent evidences mentioned the possibility of COVID-19 as a systemic infectious and inflammatory disease. Signs and symptoms of liver and gastrointestinal system are often found in post-acute COVID-19 patients. However, there are only few data found about liver abscess and necrosis in post COVID-19 patients.Case presentationA 49-year-old man admitted to the hospital with dyspnea, nausea, loss of appetite and epigastric pain, post confirmed SARS CoV-2 severe pneumonia 1 month ago in ICU with noninvasive ventilator (NIV), enoxaparin, tocilizumab, azithromycin, levofloxacin, hydroxychloroquine, and no preexisting liver condition. Swab PCR result was negative. The result of abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast was liver abscess formation with hemorrhages measuring about 16 × 12 × 11 cm & 10 × 9x9 cm occupying most of the right lobe liver. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, there were multiple liver abscesses in segment 8 with parenchymal liver necrosis and abscesses in segment 7 of liver. Necrosectomy and liver abscess drainage was performed.Clinical discussionPathophysiology of liver damage in post COVID-19 are direct cytotoxicity of SARS-CoV2, immune-mediated due to severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in COVID-19, hypoxemia, vascular changes due to coagulopathy, endothelitis or congestion from right heart failure, and drug-induced liver injury (DILI).ConclusionThe possible pathophysiology of liver abscess and necrosis in post COVID-19 should be considered in monitoring and management for both COVID-19 patients and post COVID-19 patients.
Project description:Patients with penetrating head trauma with retained projectiles develop intracranial abscesses as a common complication. The most common presentation is a suddenly worsening headache. The most common pathogen identified is staphylococcus. Outcomes are related to adherence of Matson's tenets. This case study details the presentation of a 19-year-old patient that presented to the neurological surgery clinic without neurologic deficits. Further questioning revealed complaints of intermittent diffuse headaches with bilateral upper extremity shock-like sensation for two weeks. Eight weeks prior he had undergone right craniotomy, after a gunshot wound, for debridement and watertight dural closure. The patient denied symptoms of fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or seizure. The patient presented with a noncontrast head computed tomography (CT) which revealed retained projectile fragments without clear evidence of abscess. On physical exam, the patient was without any neurological deficit. Laboratory investigation revealed normal white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and negative blood cultures. Head CT with contrast revealed a large intracerebral abscess adjacent to the thalamus. The patient was taken to the operating room for repeat craniotomy with resection of the abscess and removal of the intracranial projectile fragments. Post-operatively, the patient remained neurology intact. Intraoperative cultures were not significant for the growth of any bacteria. In eight weeks time, the patient returned to his employment and his baseline level of activity. This case underscores the importance of thorough assessment in patients with retained intracranial projectiles as well as the need to routine follow-up. The unique presentation of this patient prompted further investigation which elucidated a lesion which correlated to his symptoms although laboratory assessment was without abnormality.
Project description:BackgroundBacterial hepatic abscess is a common occurrence in developing countries, which is mostly caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Pannonibacter phragmitetus is a Gram-negative alkali-tolerant bacillus that exists in the natural environment. Human infection by this bacterium is rare, with only four cases reported.MethodWe presented one of these cases with a bacterial liver abscess by a polymicrobial infection involving P. phragmitetus and Streptococcus oralis, with P. phragmitetus being the predominate isolate.Result and discussionOur strain of P. phragmitetus was resistant to more antibiotics than the other reported two strains. This case further verified the infectivity of P. phragmitetus.