Migrated foreign body liver abscess: illustrative case report, systematic review, and proposed diagnostic algorithm

Ingestion of an unusually high number of foreign bodies in a mentally ill man

The vast majority of ingested foreign bodies (FB) can pass through the digestive tract without major incidences. In some cases, they accumulate in large amounts in the stomach. They can also perforate the gastrointestinal wall and migrate to extraluminal sites, remaining quiescent for many years. We report a case of a psychiatric patient with more than 100 ingested FB in the stomach.

Unveiling the Link Between Breast Cancer and Liver Abscess: A Case Report and Review of Literature

The introduction of screening mammograms has revolutionized the early detection of breast cancer. However, it remains the most common cancer in women in the United States, excluding skin cancer. As the incidence rates continue to rise, unusual presentations have become more frequent. Additionally, healthcare barriers can lead to delayed detection of breast cancer, resulting in unexpected complications. The occurrence of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in diabetic cancer patients, due to the synergistic effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 in tumorigenesis and abscess formation, is well documented. PLA is also prevalent in hepatocellular, colorectal, and pancreato-biliary tumors. However, the occurrence of PLA as an initial presentation of isolated advanced breast cancer without these comorbidities is understudied. This may be due to direct spread of infection from affected skin or spread via lymphatics or vasculature in the setting of immunosuppression from cancer. We present an exceedingly rare case of PLA, complicated by pulmonary embolism, in an elderly female with newly diagnosed stage IIIB breast carcinoma.

Droplet Transmission of Streptococcus sanguinis Causing Pyogenic Liver Abscess in a Male Patient With a Transplanted Liver

Streptococcus sanguinis is abundantly present in the oral cavity and colonizes the enamel as a natural part of the microbiome. Through the formation of a healthy biofilm, this bacterium provides a protective role. However, under certain conditions, it has the ability to become pathogenic. A pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) occurs through the contiguous spread of infectious pathogens from neighboring structures or following a trauma. The isolation of S. sanguinis as the pathogen in liver abscesses has only been reported twice. Here, we report the third case of PLA caused by S. sanguinis occurring in a young adult male patient, with a transplanted liver, biliary stenosis, and external drain. The bacterium was isolated from blood cultures. The most likely route of the acquisition was droplet transmission of a family member during drain irrigation. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics, and he fully recovered.

Something Seems Fishy: Hepatic Abscess Due to Foreign Body Ingestion in a Pediatric Patient

Pediatric hepatic abscesses are uncommon in children. They are usually preceded by intra-abdominal infections or caused by acute or chronic biliary disease. Cases of hepatic abscesses secondary to foreign body ingestion are even rarer but are most reported in countries such as China, where ingestion of fish and chicken bones is common. We report a rare case of an adolescent patient who developed a hepatic abscess after ingestion of a fishbone foreign body. He presented to the emergency department with emesis, abdominal pain, and subjective fevers of unknown etiology. Initial imaging of the abdomen was pertinent for a heterogeneous hepatic mass with evidence of fluid collection, concerning for malignancy. Subsequent incision and drainage then confirmed fluid collection to be pus. However, his cryptogenic hepatic abscess was not responsive to broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. After imaging was re-reviewed and repeated, a 4.3 cm thin curvilinear hyperdensity was identified embedded in the liver parenchyma. Eventually, the patient underwent exploratory laparoscopy where a fishbone foreign body was removed. To our knowledge, this is one of the few reported pediatric cases of hepatic abscess formation caused by a foreign body ingestion. Hepatic abscesses that do not resolve with antibiotics and ultrasound-guided drainage via catheter should prompt reassessment of other uncommon etiologies, specifically migrated foreign bodies as a rare but important differential diagnosis. Compared to pyogenic hepatic abscesses, hepatic abscesses secondary to foreign bodies require expedited surgical intervention for source control; thus, timely recognition and prompt intervention are crucial to minimize morbidity and mortality.

Migrated toothpick causing a hepatic abscess with portal vein thrombosis: A case report and review of literature

Key Clinical Message

Accidental foreign body ingestion is the most common hidden cause of abdominal pain. A high index of suspicion should be implemented in patients with unresolved abdominal pain. Here we reported a 54-year-old patient with vague abdominal pain who had a successful laparoscopic removal of a toothpick.

Abstract

Toothpicks and fish bones are considered one of the most common accidentally ingested foreign bodies. Fortunately, most patients are asymptomatic. About 80%-90% of ingested foreign bodies pass through the gut spontaneously within a week. We present a case of a 54-year-old female with chronic epigastric pain and fever found to have a foreign body (toothpick) that penetrated the stomach and migrated to the liver causing liver abscess with portal vein thrombosis. The patient was managed with laparoscopic removal of the foreign body with an uneventful postoperative course.

Foreign Body-Related Liver Abscess: A Case Study on Fishbone

Foreign body-related complications are rare but possibly fatal events in clinical practice. Liver abscess as a result of gastrointestinal perforation caused by foreign bodies is even more rare. We report a case of a 63-year-old man who was admitted with fever and left epigastric pain. Further investigation revealed a liver abscess without resolution despite antibiotic therapy for several weeks. In the second admission, an enhanced computerized tomography scan revealed multiple abscesses in the left lobe of the liver, with a linear radio-dense foreign body within the collection. Open surgery was performed to extract the foreign body. The patient made a satisfactory postoperative recovery without complications and was discharged on the sixth postoperative day.

A rare case of retained metallic foreign body in liver: case report and review of literature

Introduction and importance

Foreign bodies in the liver are uncommon but can lead to severe conditions like liver abscess and sepsis. They typically enter through direct penetration, migration from the gastrointestinal tract, or through the blood. Common foreign objects include metal pins, or sewing needles swallowed accidentally.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old male presented to our OPD with pain over the right abdomen with a prior history of projectile injury causing laceration over the right anterior abdomen with primary suturing. On radiological investigation, a retained foreign body was revealed. The metallic foreign body was embedded in the liver for 5 months. Removal of the foreign body was performed without any complications.

Clinical discussion

Intrahepatic foreign bodies (FBs) in the liver can result from penetrating injuries, iatrogenic causes, or ingestion, particularly in children. Clinical presentations vary, and complications such as abscess formation may occur. Diagnosis involves imaging modalities like X-rays, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) scans. The presented case highlights the importance of meticulous follow-up, as chronic pain manifested despite conservative management. The management of intrahepatic FBs depends on factors like size, location, and symptoms, with conservative approaches for stable patients. Surgical removal remains the mainstay of the treatment. Long-term monitoring is crucial to detect potential complications, and imaging studies play a key role in regular follow-up.

Conclusion

Hepatic foreign bodies are rare, and symptoms vary based on size, type, and location, ranging from asymptomatic to complications such as abscess formation. Surgical removal is the main treatment, but in cases of noncomplicated hepatic foreign bodies, close follow-up is necessary.

An uncommon liver abscess secondary to an ingested foreign body: A case report

Introduction

This article discusses a case study involving a unique occurrence of a hepatic abscess caused by the presence of an ingested foreign body. Hepatic abscesses, characterized by pus accumulation within liver tissue, often result from various infections, with some cases having unidentified origins.

Case presentation

This study focuses on a 75-year-old man who presented at an emergency department with persistent pain in the right upper abdomen and fever for ten days. Diagnostic tests revealed a low-density, multiloculated mass in the liver and a hyperdense linear structure near the duodenum, indicating a hepatic abscess originating from duodenal perforation due to a foreign body that had migrated from ingestion. The patient underwent antibiotic treatment and a surgical procedure involving laparotomy to extract the foreign object and drain the abscess.

Conclusion

this case study underscores the rare occurrence of hepatic abscesses caused by ingested foreign bodies. Swift and accurate diagnosis, along with appropriate treatment involving foreign body removal and abscess drainage, are pivotal for favorable patient outcomes. The choice of treatment strategy impacts hospital stay duration, and understanding potential complications from foreign body ingestion enhances patient management and care.

[Pyogenic hepatic abscess secondary to gastric perforation by a foreign body complicated by acute peritonitis: about a case at the Hôpital Principal de Dakar, Senegal]

Accidental ingestion of a foreign body into the gastrointestinal tract is not uncommon, however the development of hepatic abscesses secondary to digestive perforation by a foreign body is rare. We report the case of pyogenic hepatic abscesses secondary to gastric perforation by a fishbone complicated by acute peritonitis. A 53-year-old patient was admitted to our hospital with the main complaints: diffuse abdominal pain with vomiting in a context of fever and physical asthenia. A painful febrile hepatomegaly with jaundice was objectified, as well as a non-specific biological inflammatory syndrome. An initial abdominopelvic CT scan revealed multifocal liver abscesses. Faced with the initial therapeutic failure associating parenteral antibiotic therapy and abscess drainage, a second abdominal CT scan identified a foreign body straddling the antropyloric wall and segment I of the liver.A xypho-pelvic midline laparotomy was performed with nearly 200 cc of peritoneal fluid coming out. A fishbone approximately 5 cm long was extracted by laparotomy, followed by gastric closure with omentum, peritoneal cleansing and drainage. Symptomatic adjuvant treatment was initiated, including a proton pump inhibitor (Pantoprazole). He also benefited from transfusion support in the face of anemia. Antibiotic therapy was continued for a total of 2 weeks after surgery. The evolution was favorable with follow-up imaging at 3 months, showing complete resorption of the hepatic abscesses.

Laparoscopic treatment of pyogenic liver abscess caused by fishbone puncture through the stomach wall and into the liver: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) due to foreign body penetration of the gastrointestinal tract is rare but can lead to serious consequences if not diagnosed and managed properly. We report a case of PLA caused by a fishbone puncture.

CASE SUMMARY

This report describes the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of a 56-year-old male patient who presented with severe pneumonia, acute respiratory failure and septic shock. The main clinical manifestation was a nonspecific recurrent infection. Based on the findings of abdominal computed tomography examination and the detailed medical history, the diagnosis was made as PLA which was caused by fishbone puncture through the stomach wall and into the liver. After active anti-inflammatory treatment, the patient's general condition had improved. The laparoscopic drainage of the liver abscess and the foreign body removal was performed. There was no recurrence of abscess at discharge or during follow-up and the patient’s general condition was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

PLA caused by foreign bodies usually requires surgical treatment or percutaneous drainage combined with antibiotics. Our case confirms that a laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible for such cases.

A pen in the liver

A 24-year-old woman with anxiety, depression, and emotionally unstable personality disorder was referred to a tertiary center 2 weeks after ingesting multiple foreign bodies. She had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a laparotomy for extraction of ingested foreign bodies several years ago. A sagittal CT scan view showed a ballpen and a hair clip in the stomach. A coronal view demonstrated that a second ballpen had penetrated the duodenal wall to enter the liver parenchyma. There was no free intraperitoneal air or fluid or evidence of abscess formation. At laparotomy, a toothbrush, a broken spoon and a ballpen were extracted from the stomach via an anterior gastrotomy. The duodenum was adherent to the liver but the second ballpen had migrated into the distal duodenum, with the tip in the proximal jejunum. This was extracted via an enterotomy and the fistula was not interfered with. The enterotomy and gastrotomy were closed with 3-0 polydioxanone sutures. The hair clip had passed spontaneously and was not detected on intraoperative fluoroscopy. She made an uneventful recovery and postoperative liver function tests remained in the normal range. This is only the fourth reported case of a pen fistulizing between the upper gastrointestinal tract and the liver.

Unexpected death from hepatic abscess 16 months after toothbrush ingestion

The development of a hepatic abscess secondary to foreign body (FB) ingestion remains rare in forensic practice. Herein, we present a case of a prisoner who died in the hospital and a forensic autopsy was performed to confirm the cause of death. A 14.5-cm-long toothbrush handle was found in the duodenum and had penetrated the right lobe of the liver, consistent with the repeated abdominal pain in his clinical history. The clinical history and investigation confirmed that he had ingested the toothbrush handle 16 months prior. This case highlights a rare complication of intentional ingestion of foreign bodies, and pathologists should be aware of this rare entity which links hepatic abscess and FB ingestion.

Percutaneous extraction of metallic foreign body from pyogenic liver abscess

We report a case of a 35-year-old male who developed a pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) secondary to a foreign body that migrated from the transverse colon into the liver. The mainstay of treatment of PLA requires removal of the foreign body, most frequently performed surgically. Few case reports exist of percutaneous removal. As our patient was hemodynamically stable at time of presentation, he underwent successful percutaneous transhepatic removal of the foreign body, avoiding any need for surgical operation.

Indirect ballistic injury to the liver resulting in retained bullet complicated with hepatic abscess: a case report

Indirect and extraperitoneal penetrating liver injury is an extremely uncommon phenomenon. In this report, we highlight the case of an 18-year-old male patient that sustained a gunshot wound with an entry site through the right buttock and landed in the liver. He presented to us in sepsis due to developing a hepatic abscess at the site of the dislodged bullet that was confirmed with computed tomography. Interestingly, the ballistic missile did not cause any visceral injury due to its indirect and extraperitoneal trajectory. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, where the hepatic abscess was unroofed and evacuated. A free-floating bullet was found and extracted, and a small bile duct leak was repaired. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course and was duly discharged on an empiric course of antibiotics.

An unusual cause of pericardial effusion: A case report of a hepatic abscess following foreign body migration and duodenal perforation

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Although foreign bodies are a rare cause of gastrointestinal tract perforation, they may serve as a nidus for hepatic abscess. Abdominal pain is the most common presenting symptom. We present a case of an ingested pen causing duodenal perforation and hepatic abscess several months after initially presenting with a pericardial effusion.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 59-year-old female living in an intensive tertiary mental health facility was noted to have an incidental pericardial effusion during work-up for hyponatremia. Seven months later, she developed a new fever and was noted to have interval increase in the pericardial effusion size. This prompted further investigation which finally revealed that an ingested pen had perforated through the first part of the duodenum and caused an abscess in the left lobe of the liver. The pericardial effusion was presumed secondary to local inflammation. Upon discovery of the abscess, the patient underwent successful operative management including abscess drainage, foreign body extraction, and duodenal repair.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Reports of hepatic abscess from foreign body causing duodenal perforation are rare, with bone fragments and toothpicks the most common foreign bodies implicated. There is one other previously reported case of an ingested pen. Abdominal pain is present in up to 85% of cases, but fever may be the only presenting symptom.

CONCLUSION

Foreign body migration causing a hepatic abscess may present non-specifically with unexplained fever or even pericardial effusion. Psychiatric comorbidities may contribute to delays in diagnosis due to difficulties recalling the episode of ingestion.

Liver abscess in the caudate lobe caused by a fishbone and treated by laparoscopy: a case report

Background

Ingestion of fish bones leading to gastric perforation and inducing abscess formation in the caudate lobe of the liver is very rare.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 2-day history of subxiphoid pain. There were no specific symptoms other than pain. Laboratory tests showed only an increase in the number and percentage of neutrophils. Contrast-enhanced Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed two linear dense opacities in the gastric cardia, one of which penetrated the stomach and was adjacent to the caudate lobe of the liver, with inflammatory changes in the caudate lobe. We finally diagnosed his condition as a caudate lobe abscess secondary to intestinal perforation caused by a fishbone based on the history and imaging findings. The patient underwent 3D laparoscopic partial caudate lobectomy, incision and drainage of the liver abscess, and fishbone removal. The procedure was successful and we removed the fishbone from the liver. The patient was discharged on the 9th postoperative day without other complications.

Conclusions

Liver abscess caused by foreign bodies requires multidisciplinary treatment. Especially when located in the caudate lobe, we must detect and remove the cause of the abscess as early as possible. Foreign bodies that perforate the gastrointestinal tract can penetrate to the liver and cause abscess formation, as in this case. When exploring the etiology of liver abscesses, we should investigate the general condition, including the whole gastrointestinal tract.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01457-z.

Laparoscopy treatment of liver abscess secondary to an unusual foreign body (rosemary twig)

A hepatic abscess caused by a swallowed foreign body is a rare and challenging diagnosis. Most patients have nonspecific symptoms, and more than 90% of patients do not remember having swallowed it, which occurred accidentally. In this setting, fish bones, chicken bones, and toothpicks are the most found foreign bodies. We reported the case of a 54-year-old male patient admitted with abdominal pain and intermittent fever. He was diagnosed with liver abscess and treated successfully with antibiotics and a laparoscopic procedure; a rosemary twig was found during the abscess drainage procedure. Furthermore, a literature review of 22 cases of laparoscopic treated liver abscesses associated with a foreign body was made.

Hepatic abscess caused by esophageal foreign body misdiagnosed as cystadenocarcinoma by magnetic resonance imaging: A case report

BACKGROUND

Foreign bodies stuck in the throat and esophagus can be discharged through the digestive tract. Esophageal-lodged foreign bodies can cause secondary injury or detrimental response, with hepatic abscess being one such, albeit rare, outcome. Review and discussion of the few case reports on such instances will help to improve the overall understanding of such conditions and aid in differential diagnosis to improve patient outcome.

CASE SUMMARY

A 51-year-old female patient with pre-existing diabetes visited our hospital following a 15-d experience of chills and fever. Both plain and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and color Doppler ultrasound examination of the liver and gallbladder revealed a space-occupying lesion in the caudate lobe of the liver (7.8 cm × 6.0 cm × 5.0 cm). Initially, a malignant tumor was suspected, but differential diagnosis was unable to exclude the possibility of hepatic abscess. Conservative anti-infection therapy produced a less than ideal outcome. Additional examination by hepatobiliary imaging with computed tomography suggested a foreign body present in the upper abdomen and hepatic abscess, and subsequent endoscopy revealed a sinus tract in the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. Therefore, surgery was performed to remove the object (fishbone) and drain the abscess. After a 2-wk uneventful recovery, the patient was discharged. The final diagnosis was foreign body-induced hepatic abscess of the caudate lobe.

CONCLUSION

Differential diagnosis is important for hepatic masses, and systematic examination and physician awareness can aid in diagnosing and curing such rare conditions.

Successful laparoscopic management of a hepatic abscess caused by a fish bone

BACKGROUND

Hepatic abscess is a rare condition but comes with heavy consequences if not diagnosed and managed properly. Early detection of this pathology is challenging because of the variety and lack of specificity of symptoms but is necessary for accurate management.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of pyogenic liver abscess secondary to the migration of an ingested fish bone in a 74-year-old female. We used laparoscopic surgery to drain the abscess, remove the foreign body responsible and look for the perforation site. Parenteral antibiotherapy was added to the surgical treatment.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis of hepatic abscess caused by the migration of a foreign body remains a challenge. In our opinion, laparoscopic surgery associated with antibiotics is the safest and most effective therapeutic option.

Laparoscopic Management of Hepatic Abscess From Ingested Chicken Bone

A 68-year-old man presented to the hospital with severe right upper abdominal pain, fevers, nausea and lethargy. He deteriorated into septic shock and was found to have a hepatic abscess on computer tomography imaging. After multiple investigations and continual deterioration, he underwent an exploratory laparoscopy which revealed a chicken bone within the liver parenchyma resulting in a large hepatic abscess. The patient required a second laparoscopic washout and prolonged antibiotics, subsequently recovering well. This rare case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing hepatic abscesses caused by gastrointestinal foreign bodies, and successful management with laparoscopic surgery.

Toothpick in the porta: Recurrent liver abscesses secondary to transgastric migration of a toothpick with successful surgical exploration retrieval

We present a rare case of a 72-year-old man with recurrent hepatic abscesses secondary to transgastric migration of a toothpick into the liver parenchyma and left portal venous branch. Prior to identification of the foreign body, the patient received multiple courses of antibiotics and underwent image-guided catheter placement without resolution of infection. Given his refractory abdominal pain, fevers, and chills, a repeat abdominal CT was obtained and demonstrated a radio-opaque object extending through the prepyloric gastric submucosa into the liver parenchyma and left portal vein. EGD confirmed a pre-pyloric fistula tract with purulent discharge. The patient subsequently underwent exploratory laparotomy, cholecystectomy, porta hepatis exploration, removal of foreign body, and ligation of porto-enteric fistula tract. A wooden toothpick was removed in its entirety. Interval CT demonstrated resolution of hepatic abscesses and no evidence of persistent porto-enteric fistula. This exceptional case demonstrates the value of multidisciplinary care, hypervigilance for patients with refractory pyogenic liver abscesses of unknown origin, and the importance of careful preoperative planning.

Migrated fish bone induced liver abscess: medical management

Liver abscess secondary to a migrated ingested foreign body is an uncommon condition where early diagnosis helps management and improves prognosis. Abscess drainage with removal of the foreign body is the recommended management. We report the successful management of a patient with a liver abscess from a migrated fishbone that was treated medically with the foreign body left in situ.

A case of liver abscesses and porto-enteric fistula caused by an ingested toothpick: A review of the distinctive clinical and imaging features

Though foreign body (FB) ingestions are a relatively common occurrence in the bustling emergency department, particularly among children, the vast majority of FBs either pass uneventfully or can be retrieved endoscopically. Only a small percentage of patients will experience complications such as bowel obstruction, ischemia, or perforation that may progress to abscess, septic thrombophlebitis, peritonitis, or shock. Depending on their composition, small FBs can be very difficult to detect on computed tomography (CT). However, a delay in definitive treatment resulting from the failure to clinically or radiologically recognize that a FB may be responsible for the acute presentation can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. We present a case of unresolving hepatic abscess and recurrent sepsis caused by a toothpick-induced porto-enteric fistula in which the FB was not initially identified, thereby leading to multiple treatment failures and readmissions. This is followed by a literature review with comprehensive discussion of the distinctive clinical and imaging features of migrated FB-induced liver abscesses.

The Efficacy of Sonazoid-enhanced Ultrasonography in Decision-making for Liver Abscess Treatment

Objective The usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for making decisions in the treatment of liver abscess is unknown. Methods We evaluated the internal blood flow in the arterial-predominant phase by CEUS using Sonazoid^® in 21 patients. The stain area rate was evaluated in maximum parting plane of abscess in CEUS. Patients were divided into two groups: the vascular phase enhancement (VE) group, in which ≥50% of the abscess cavity was enhanced (12 patients), and the vascular phase non-enhancement (VNE) group, in which <50% of the abscess cavity was enhanced (9 patients). The rate of patients who were cured by conservative treatment alone was examined in both groups. The defect rate of all liver abscesses in the post-vascular phase was also evaluated. Results In the VE group, improvement by conservative treatment alone was obtained in 11 out of 12 patients (91.7%), while in the VNE group, improvement by conservative treatment alone was obtained in only 1 out of 9 patients (11.1%), a significant difference (p<0.001). In the VE group, one patient did not improve with conservative treatment alone because the abscess ruptured near the liver surface. In the VE group, the abscess size was smaller than in the VNE group. By examining the defect rate in the post-vascular phase, it was found that 16 out of 21 patients (76.2%) showed 71% or more defects. Conclusion The enhancement rate in the arterial-predominant phase of CEUS was considered useful for determining the treatment approach for liver abscess.

Liver abscess caused by ingestion of fishbone: A case report

RATIONALE

The penetration of a foreign body through the stomach wall and causing liver abscess is rare. A case of liver abscess caused by secondary bacterial infection was reported in the current study.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 58-year-old male patient had a history of eating fish and presented with recurrent fever with chills. The patient had a previous fever for 9 days without any obvious inducement and the highest body temperature rose to 40.8°C, along with fear of cold and chills. Body temperature declined to normal value after 5 days of infusion treatment (drugs were unknown) in the local clinic. Two days afterward, his body temperature again rose to 40.3°C at its highest.

DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTION

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed that there was a quasicircular low-density focus in the left hepatic lobe which was most likely a liver abscess. A dense strip was found in proximity to the left hepatic lobe, implying the retention of a catheter in the upper abdominal cavity or a foreign body. On conditions of related preoperative preparations and general anesthesia, the left hepatic lobe was resected with the laparoscope. During the operation, a fish bone was found in the liver. Postoperative symptomatic and supportive treatment was carried out without antibiotics for liver protection.

OUTCOMES

The patient was cured through surgical treatment and found to be in a good condition. The patient was successfully discharged and recovered well in the follow-up visit 3 months after the operation.

LESSONS

Liver abscess caused by fish spines is rare. The contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and the minimally invasive abdominal operation both played critical roles in the diagnosis and treatment of the case. The general population, who mistakenly eat fish bones, should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Hepatic Abscess due to Streptococcus anginosus and Eikenella corrodens, Secondary to Gastric Perforation by a Fish Bone

Introduction

Foreign-body ingestion is a common event, but in only less than 1% of the cases complications occur. Hepatic abscesses induced by foreign-body penetration are rare. To date, there are only 62 reported cases of hepatic abscess secondary to fish bone perforation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Case Presentation

A 78-year-old male patient was admitted due to high fever and vomiting for 2 days, along with frequent eructations for the past 3 months. Abdominal ultrasound showed a liver abscess in the left lobe, and computed tomography revealed a hyperdense linear image that crossed the superior wall of the gastric antrum, contacting the liver lesion, suggestive of a foreign body, probably a fish bone. Blood cultures were positive with isolation of Streptococcus anginosus and Eikenella corrodens. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess was done, and S. anginosus was isolated in the pus. Surgical debridement and fish bone removal were performed; the patient completed 21 days of antibiotic therapy, with a favorable evolution.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of liver abscess caused by fish bone penetration with isolation of S. anginosus and E. corrodens. Bacterial coaggregation is one of the mechanisms that can explain their ability for causing invasive infections away from the oral cavity, by increasing their resistance to the innate immune system and survival of both species.

Laparoscopic management of enterohepatic migrated fish bone mimicking liver neoplasm: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Accidental ingestion of a foreign body is common in daily life. But the hepatic migration of perforated foreign body is rather rare.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 37-year-old man presented with a history of vague epigastric discomfort for about 2 months.

DIAGNOSIS

A diagnosis of the foreign body induced hepatic inflammatory mass was made based on abdominal computed tomographic scan and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent laparoscopic laparotomy. During the operation, inflammatory signs were seen in the lesser omentum and segment 3 of liver. B- Ultrasound guided excision of the mass (in segment 3) was performed. Dissecting the specimen revealed a fish bone measuring 1.7 cm in length.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on day 5 after surgery.

LESSONS

This study shows the usefulness of endoscopy for final diagnosis and treatment in foreign body ingestion. Early diagnosis and decisive treatment in time are lifesaving for patients with this potentially lethal condition.

Pyogenic Liver Abscess Secondary to Foreign Body (Fish Bone) Treated by Laparoscopy: A Case Report

Liver abscess due to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract by a foreign body is a rare and possibly fatal event. Diagnosing this pathology is complicated by the lack of specific symptoms and unfamiliarity of ingestion by the patient and low clinical suspicion of this disease. In the case of liver abscess unresponsive to aspiration and administration of antibiotics, this hypothesis must be made, despite its low incidence. This case report describes and illustrates a case of liver abscess secondary to fish bone ingestion with consequent piercing of the lesser gastric curvature, diagnosed by computed tomography and specific anamnesis. Laparoscopy was performed to extract the foreign body, without complications; the patient is currently asymptomatic and does not present any abnormal physical examination findings. We believe this represents the first case report of a successful laparoscopic treatment in South America for the removal of an ingested foreign body associated with pyogenic liver abscess.

Hepatic abscess in the Spiegel lobe caused by foreign body penetration: report of a case report

A 69-year-old male patient visited our hospital because of a continuous low-grade fever and right back pain since 2 weeks. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) of his abdomen revealed a mass with ring enhancement (35 × 30 mm) in the Spiegel lobe as well as a needle-like foreign body. Because conservative treatment by fasting and administration of antibiotics was unsuccessful, the patient underwent emergency laparotomy for removal of the foreign body and drainage of the liver abscess. The patient made a satisfactory postoperative recovery without complications and was discharged on the eighth postoperative day. The foreign body was composed of both protein and calcium phosphate and was histologically diagnosed as matured bone. We herein report successful surgical treatment of a patient with a liver abscess in the Spiegel lobe caused by foreign body penetration.

Enterohepatic Migration of Fish Bone Resulting in Liver Abscess

Liver abscess formation due to enterohepatic migration of a foreign body is extremely rare. Foreign body ingestion is generally an unconscious and painless event, thus complicating preoperative diagnosis in most patients. We report the case of a 61-year-old man who presented with secondary peritonitis from a ruptured hepatic abscess after an ingested fish bone migrated into the liver.

Pyogenic liver abscess: an unusual cause

A 60-year-old female patient was referred for a massive pyogenic liver abscess that had been initially treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. CT-scan showed a foreign body in the hepatic pedicle, adjacent to the right portal vein: a fishbone. After 6 weeks of medical management with antibiotics, the foreign body was removed laparoscopically. The presence of a foreign body should be sought in cases of pyogenic liver abscess, especially if no other intra-abdominal cause has been found or if the abscess fails to resolve with medical treatment alone.

Tracking the foreign body, a rare cause of hepatic abscess

Background

Foreign body ingestion complicated by perforation of the digestive tract is a well-known occurrence. Contrary to this, perforation by fishbones has most often been described in South East Asian populations, and has the unusual characteristic of often being paucisymptomatic until secondary complications occur.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 56 year-old man of asian origin who presented with a liver abscess of unknown origin, complicated by septic shock with multiorgan failure. He was later found to have a fishbone impacted in the left lobe of the liver, which had perforated the stomach and gone by unnoticed until presentation. The fishbone was extracted through laparotomy and the abscess was drained.

Conclusion

This report highlights a cause of liver abscesses which is likely underreported in Northern European populations and which, although rare in occurrence, should be part of our diagnostic algorithm of “cryptogenic abscesses” since surgical removal of the foreign object as drainage warrant definitive treatment.

Gastric perforation by a foreign body presenting as a pancreatic pseudotumour

INTRODUCTION

Foreign body ingestion rarely causes complications, though it can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. Perforation, particularly of more muscular viscera, can present insidiously with a wide range of differential diagnoses.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Here we present a case of 75 year-old woman presenting with chest and epigastric pain. Initial imaging suggested a pancreatic lesion. Despite appropriate treatment she deteriorated clinically, and following urgent laparotomy a duck bone fragment was found to have perforated the lesser curvature of the stomach and embedded within the liver causing subhepatic abscess formation and associated inflammation.

DISCUSSION

There are a number of examples of insidious presentations of gastrointestinal perforation. However, we have found only one other case of a perforation presenting as a pancreatic pseudotumour, and ours is the first to have been successfully managed by removal of the foreign body and drainage of the abscess alone.

CONCLUSION

A high level of suspicion is required to make the correct diagnosis in cases such as these where the symptoms are not clear-cut. Thorough review and discussion of imaging prior to surgical treatment is essential to prevent unnecessary intervention.

Successful treatment of liver abscess secondary to foreign body penetration of the alimentary tract: A case report and literature review

Hepatic abscess caused by foreign body penetration of the alimentary tract is rare. We report a case of gastric antrum penetration due to a toothpick complicated by liver abscess formation. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of upper abdominal pain for 2 mo. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed at a local clinic revealed a toothpick penetrating the gastric antrum. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen at our hospital revealed a gastric foreign body embedded in the posterior wall of gastric antrum with regional phlegmon over the lesser sac and adhesion to the pancreatic body without notable vascular injury, and a hepatic abscess seven cm in diameter over the left liver lobe. Endoscopic removal of the foreign body was successfully performed without complication. The liver abscess was treated with parenteral antibiotics without drainage. The patient’s recovery was uneventful. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated complete resolution of the hepatic abscess six months after discharge. Relevant literature from the PubMed database was reviewed and the clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, treatment strategies and outcomes of 88 reported cases were analyzed. The results showed that only 6 patients received conservative treatment with parenteral antibiotics, while the majority underwent either image-guided abscess drainage or laparotomy. Patients receiving abscess drainage via laparotomy had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization compared with those undergoing image-guided drainage. There was no significant difference in age between those who survived and those who died, however, the latter presented to hospitals in a more critical condition than the former. The overall mortality rate was 7.95%.

Migration of two swallowed foreign bodies to different locations in the same case

Foreign body ingestion can be seen at all ages, especially in childhood. Most swallowed foreign objects are disposed from the body without any health problems through defecation. It is rare that a foreign object perforates the intestine and migrates into the liver or peritoneum. In our case two unintentionally swallowed needles pierced the intestine and were located in the left lobe of the liver and small intestine mesentery. Foreign objects were detected in the abdomen of a 20-year-old female patient during examination performed for abdominal pain that lasted for three months. After a follow up period of three weeks the patient's complaints continued. She underwent laparotomy and both needles were removed in one session. It should be kept in mind that swallowed foreign objects can sometimes perforate the gastrointestinal system and may be located in different organs in the abdomen.

A liver abscess presenting as bowel obstruction and perforation

A 69-year-old cachexic man presented with tachycardia and hypotension on a background of 7 days of vomiting and constipation. He was not obviously in pain. He had a raised white cell count of 24.8×10(9)/l, and a lactate of 2.2 mmol/l. A chest x-ray had the appearance of free air under the diaphragm and he was suspected of having a bowel obstruction with perforation. An abdominal CT scan showed instead a large fluid and gas-filled hepatic abscess, and a second smaller simple cyst. The abscess was percutaneously drained, and the purulent fluid drained grew Streptococcus milleri. The patient was discharged home 2 weeks later.