Needle aspiration of amoebic liver abscess.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of needle aspiration in uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Referral based gastroenterology clinic.


METHODS
39 Consecutive patients with amoebic liver abscess in the right lobe, of whom 37 completed the study.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Sharma
M P
MP
Department of Gastroenterology and Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Rai
R R
RR
Acharya
S K
SK
Ray
J C
JC
Tandon
B N
BN
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*
D008795:Metronidazole