title: Pyogenic liver abscess and colorectal neoplasia: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal neoplasia is occasionally associated with hepatic abscess. To identify cases, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of all patients admitted to our hospital for liver abscess from 2004 to 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Underlying disease was actively sought for all patients. Cases with obvious causes, such as biliary tract obstruction and immunocompromising conditions, were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 211 cases of liver abscess included, 12 were found to be associated with colorectal neoplasia. None of these 12 cases had gastrointestinal symptoms. The stool occult blood test was positive in only 3 cases. There were 3 cases of focal adenocarcinoma in tubulovillous adenoma and the remaining 9 cases all had adenomatous polyps. Complete cure was achieved in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When managing patients with liver abscess, colorectal neoplasia should be considered as a possible associated underlying condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. ychen02@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yang-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jang-Chang
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hsu-Heng
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Shun-Sheng
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Maw-Soan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Soon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046290:Liver Abscess, Pyogenic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology