Pleuropulmonary complications in missed hepatic amoebiasis

Abstract

When in an amoebic abscess rupture or fistulization into the contiguous pleural sac occurs early it induces such pleuropulmonary changes that may mask the hepatic nature of the underlying disease. We present 14 unusual cases of amoebic liver abscess which were missed as a result of over-whelming pleuropulmonary manifesta-tions in the absence of clinically appreciable liver enlargement or other signs of liver disease. The study portrays the difficulties that may arise when amoebiasis contacted in the tropics presents elsewhere with pleuropulmonary complications given the rapid global movement of people.


Keywords: Missed, amoebic abscess, pleuropulmonary

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 16 (2) 2006: pp. 86-90