| Abstract | OBJECTIVE--To determine the value of needle aspiration in uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess. DESIGN--Randomised case-control study with a minimum follow up of one year, comparing patients treated with drugs alone with those treated with additional needle aspiration. SETTING--Referral based gastroenterology clinic. PATIENTS--39 Consecutive patients with amoebic liver abscess in the right lobe, of whom 37 completed the study. INTERVENTION--Metronidazole 2.4 g/day was given to all patients for 10 days. Needle aspiration of the abscess was performed in 19 patients on the day of admission to hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, and hepatomegaly were measured. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum aspartate, and alanine aminotransferase activities, and alkaline phosphatase activity were also measured. RESULTS--Clinical improvement was similar in both groups of patients. Improvement in haematological and biochemical variables and rates of healing of cavities were also similar. CONCLUSIONS--Chemotherapy with potent tissue amoebicidal drugs such as metronidazole is optimally effective in treating amoebic liver abscess, and in uncomplicated cases routine aspiration is not required. |
| Authors | M P Sharma, R R Rai, S K Acharya, J C Ray, B N Tandon
(Affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.)
|
| Journal | BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
(BMJ)
Vol. 299
Issue 6711
Pg. 1308-9
(Nov 25 1989)
ISSN: 0959-8138 ENGLAND |
| PMID | 2513931
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
|
| Chemical References |
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| Topics |
- Adult
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Liver Abscess, Amebic
(therapy)
- Male
- Metronidazole
(therapeutic use)
- Random Allocation
- Suction
(methods)
|
