Huge Amoebic Liver Abscess in the Left Lobe Treated by Oral Administration of Metronidazole

Intern Med. 2020 Dec 1;59(23):3023-3026. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5301-20. Epub 2020 Jul 28.

Abstract

A man in his 60s visited a clinic with chief complaints of a fever and general malaise. Suspecting a liver abscess in the left lobe with infiltration into the subcutaneous fat tissue under the rectus abdominis muscle based on computed tomography findings, we performed fine-needle aspiration. An amoebic liver abscess was diagnosed. Remission was achieved by the oral administration of metronidazole alone without placement of a drainage tube. The results obtained in this case suggest that the first line of treatment should be a non-invasive approach with oral administration alone. Invasive intervention should then be considered depending on subsequent progress.

Keywords: amoebic liver abscess; metronidazole; percutaneous drainage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drainage / methods*
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / drug therapy*
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / surgery*
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / administration & dosage
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Metronidazole