title: An unusual case of hepatic abscess.
abstract: A case of recurring primary hepatic actinomycosis is reported. A 50-year-old man presented with fever, weight loss and multiple hepatic masses. A diagnosis was obtained by cytological examination of a biopsy sample taken from the largest hepatic mass, which revealed the presence of Actinomyces species. The patient was treated with penicillin for 12 months and did well. Seven years later, he presented with similar symptoms but with a single large liver mass and a pulmonary infiltrate in the right lower lobe. Liver biopsy showed an inflammatory pseudotumour, and lung biopsy showed the presence of Actinomyces species. Again, the patient was treated with penicillin. Five months later, the patient was doing well, and a follow-up computed tomography scan showed partial regression of the hepatic pseudotumour. This case indicates that hepatic actinomycosis can recur several years after an appropriate treatment and stresses the need for careful follow-up in such patients.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Saint-Luc, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 264 east René-Lévesque blvd., Montréal, Québec H2X 1P1, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tambay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bourgault
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Villeneuve
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006104:Granuloma, Plasma Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins