title: An unusual cause of haemoptysis: a diagnostic challenge for clinicians.
abstract: A 32-year-old male patient presented with haemoptysis in the background of high-grade fever for 3 weeks. Chest examination and x-ray were suggestive of right-sided moderate pleural effusion. On finding tender hepatomegaly in abdominal examination, an ultrasonography of abdomen was performed which was suggestive of ruptured hepatic abscess. Cytological examination of both sputum and aspirate from hepatic abscess showed neutrophilic debris mixed with red blood cells. The serological test for antibody to Entamoeba histolytica was positive. Computerised tomography-guided trans-tracheal fistulogram demonstrated presence of hepato-bronchial fistula. Our case responded to conservative management. Follow-up ultrasonography after 6 months showed total abolition of abscess cavity and sealing of bronchial connection. Amoebic liver abscess complicating into hepato-bronchial fistula is thought to be an obsolete entity in contemporary world. But possibility of amoebic liver abscess should be kept in mind while managing a patient of haemoptysis in appropriate clinical setting in endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. arka_talukdar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Arunansu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talukdar
authors.forename: Kabita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Dibbendhu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khanra
authors.forename: Manjari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016154:Digestive System Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography