Ruptured Gas-forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess into the Peritoneal Cavity Treated Successfully with Medical Treatment

Gas Forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess Diagnosed by Point of Care Ultrasound

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFLPA) carries a high mortality rate. Early identification of the source of infection in sepsis results in better survival. Bedside point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can be used to help localize a source of infection. A 59-year-old man presented with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and was diagnosed with GFLPA on the initial encounter via clinical assessment and POCUS examination. After commencing antibiotics, optimal glucose control, adequate fluid resuscitation, and early infective source control, he achieved full recovery and was followed up in outpatient medical and surgical clinics. This case illustrates the role of POCUS as a diagnostic tool in sepsis and raises awareness among clinicians to recognize the features of GFLPA on POCUS.

Successful Medical Treatment for Peritonitis Resulting from a Large Pyogenic Liver Abscess Rupture

The rupture of a pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) with peritonitis is a rare occurrence but a surgical emergency with a high mortality rate in the case of gas-forming PLA. Rare cases of ruptured PLA that recovered completely with only medical treatment have been reported. This paper reports a case of a large PLA rupture with peritonitis. In this case, surgical intervention was too risky because of the patient's age and poor general condition. The patient recovered fully with appropriate antibiotic therapy and sufficient percutaneous drainage. Therefore, medical treatment may be considered an alternative option in cases of a ruptured large PLA with peritonitis if surgical intervention is too risky.

Ruptured liver abscess presenting as pneumoperitoneum caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae: a case report

Background

Spontaneous gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is a rare complication with a high fatality rate in spite of aggressive management. Clinical spectrum of GFPLA can mimic hollow viscus perforation as it usually accompanied by pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis. Up to now, GFPLA has not been well studied in Vietnam.

Case presentation

We reported here a case with pneumoperitoneum caused by ruptured liver abscess in a 41-year-old man with a history of treated duodenal ulcer and uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus. He had an epigastric pain associated with a high fever. Patient was diagnosed peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum presumed to be secondary to perforation of a hollow viscus and subjected to emergency laparotomy. We did not find any gastrointestinal perforation. Surprisingly, we detected a 4 cm × 4 cm pus-containing abscess in the left liver lobe of the liver. The abscess was ruptured. Pus was running into abdominal cavity through one hole. The abscess and abdominal cavities were cleaned up and abscess and abdominal drainages were performed. K. pneumoniae was isolated from culture of the abscess. The histopathological examination of the abscess did not yield any evidence of malignancy. Blood glucose levels were controlled. Antibiotic therapy was used according to antibiogram. A reassessment chest X-ray showed no air-fluid level or subdiaphragmatic air by the hospital day 14. Patient eventually made a full recovery and was discharged home 23 days after the operation.

Conclusions

Ruptured GFPLA is a life-threatening complication. It is usually accompanied by peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum and can imitate hollow viscous perforation. In these cases, CT scan should be performed whenever it is possible to make a correct diagnosis. When the abscess has small size, partial hepatectomy might not be necessary and could be replaced by a careful cleaning and drainage of the abscess. Patient could show a good postoperative recovery following an appropriate antibiotic therapy.