Liver abscesses due to Fusobacterium spp that mimick malignant metastatic liver disease.
A 71-year-old man presented with the clinical and radiological features of metastatic liver disease but subsequently was found to have multiple liver abscesses caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. At liver biopsy, pus was aspirated and Fusobacterium necrophorum was isolated from the pus. Serial blood cultures and urine cultures were sterile and negative for Fusobacterium spp. The patient made a complete recovery in response to treatment with penicillin and amoxicillin. This case illustrates the importance of liver abscesses as an uncommon but completely treatable differential diagnosis for the radiological appearances of multiple hepatic lesions.
Athavale
N V
NV
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD, UK. nathavale49@hotmail.com
Leitch
D G
DG
Cowling
P
P
D000368:Aged; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005675:Fusobacterium necrophorum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010406:Penicillins