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Hepatic abscess

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fevers, rigors, sweats, with no infectious focus identified. Generalized abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male

CT Abdomen and pelvis

ct

Large hypodense liver mass centered in segments VII and VI, showing heterogeneous attenuation due to wispy central enhancement that may represent irregular septa. A tiny isolated gas locule is seen within the lesion. The lesion has slightly irregular margins. The remainder liver parenchyma is unremarkable. Portal vein and hepatic veins are patent, although the right portal vein opacifies poorly. Cholecystectomy. Small amount of free fluid in the pelvis. 

US-guided hepatic drainage

ultrasound

Ultrasound confirmed the hepatic abscess and was used to guide the insertion of a pig-tail catheter. 

Case Discussion

Drained pyogenic abscess of the liver

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