Needle aspiration of amoebic liver abscess.

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
• Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (BMJ) Vol. 299 Issue 6711 Pg. 1308-9 (Nov 25 1989) ISSN: 0959-8138 [Print] England
• PMID: 2513931 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Metronidazole

Topics

• Adult
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Liver Abscess, Amebic (therapy)
• Male
• Metronidazole (therapeutic use)
• Random Allocation
• Suction (methods)