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Cryptogenic hepatic abscess in two uncompromised children

1980; Elsevier BV; Volume: 15; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0022-3468(80)80520-3

1531-5037

Elizabeth B. Harrington, Michael A. Bleicher,

Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments

A pre-mortem diagnosis of cryptogenic liver abscess in children is rare, but this diagnosis must be considered in the evaluation for pyrexia of unknown origin. Two previously healthy children were suspected of harboring liver abscesses. Radioisotopic, sonographic, and angiographic evidence supported the clinical diagnosis. Operative drainage was performed in each case. No source for either abscess was found and no cause established. Anaerobic bacteria, microaerophilic streptococcus and Fusobacterium necrophorum, each in pure culture, were retrieved on culture of the pus from each child's abscess. Experience gleaned from these two cases emphasizes the possibility of an hepatic abscess existing in the uncompromised child with fever of unknown origin. A cryptogenic hepatic abscess may occur in a child with only mild gastrointestinal complaints and in a child with sickle cell disease. Recovery is attributed to suspicion of diagnosis, prompt investigation, operative drainage, effective culture technique with isolation of organism and appropriate antibiotic coverage. A pre-mortem diagnosis of cryptogenic liver abscess in children is rare, but this diagnosis must be considered in the evaluation for pyrexia of unknown origin. Two previously healthy children were suspected of harboring liver abscesses. Radioisotopic, sonographic, and angiographic evidence supported the clinical diagnosis. Operative drainage was performed in each case. No source for either abscess was found and no cause established. Anaerobic bacteria, microaerophilic streptococcus and Fusobacterium necrophorum, each in pure culture, were retrieved on culture of the pus from each child's abscess. Experience gleaned from these two cases emphasizes the possibility of an hepatic abscess existing in the uncompromised child with fever of unknown origin. A cryptogenic hepatic abscess may occur in a child with only mild gastrointestinal complaints and in a child with sickle cell disease. Recovery is attributed to suspicion of diagnosis, prompt investigation, operative drainage, effective culture technique with isolation of organism and appropriate antibiotic coverage.