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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2014; 20(13): 3703-3711
Published online Apr 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i13.3703
Published online Apr 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i13.3703
Successful treatment of liver abscess secondary to foreign body penetration of the alimentary tract: A case report and literature review
Lee-Won Chong, Cheuk-Kay Sun, Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
Lee-Won Chong, Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Cheuk-Kwan Sun, Department of Emergency Medicine, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
Cheuk-Kwan Sun, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
Chin-Chu Wu, Department of Radiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei 111, Taiwan
Cheuk-Kay Sun, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei 242, Taiwan
Cheuk-Kay Sun, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
Author contributions: Chong LW and Sun CK designed the study and wrote the manuscript; Chong LW, Wu CC, Sun CK collected and analyzed the data; all authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Correspondence to: Cheuk-Kay Sun, MD, Division of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, No. 95, Wen Chang Road, Shih Lin District, Taipei 111, Taiwan. M000651@ms.skh.org.tw
Telephone: +886-2-28332211 Fax: +886-2-28389335
Received: November 5, 2013
Revised: December 24, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: April 7, 2014
Revised: December 24, 2013
Accepted: January 19, 2014
Published online: April 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Hepatic abscess caused by foreign body penetration of the alimentary tract is rare and most cases are treated surgically. We demonstrate the successful conservative treatment of a patient by combining endoscopic removal of the foreign body and broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. A review of the literature highlighted the importance of ruling out the possibility of foreign body penetration of the alimentary tract in patients with liver abscesses and no identifiable underlying condition, particularly those refractory to conventional treatment. Appropriate diagnostic strategies, including imaging studies and surgical exploration, may be indicated for early diagnosis and timely treatment of this potentially lethal condition.