Tuberculous liver abscess in a case without lung involvement

Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2010 Feb;26(2):99-104. doi: 10.1016/s1607-551x(10)70015-2.

Abstract

Hepatic tuberculosis is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly when it presents in the form of liver abscess. Here, we report a 64-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital having experienced intermittent chills for 3 months. Aspiration of the liver abscess revealed neither bacteria nor acid-fast bacilli, but pus and granulation tissue were found. Antituberculous therapy was started empirically and cultures of the abscess confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 3 weeks later. We suggest that tuberculous liver abscess should be considered in patients not showing typical features or who fail to respond to antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / drug therapy
  • Liver Abscess / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / physiology
  • Tuberculosis, Hepatic / drug therapy
  • Tuberculosis, Hepatic / microbiology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents