Amebic liver abscess

Health Library

Find

Español

2	4	5	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

Amebic liver abscess

Alternative Names

Hepatic amebiasis; Extraintestinal amebiasis; Abscess - amebic liver

Symptoms

There may or may not be symptoms of intestinal infection. Symptoms may include:

Abdominal pain
- Particularly in the right, upper part of the abdomen
- Intense, continuous, or stabbing pain
Chills
Diarrhea
Fever
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
Jaundice
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Sweating
Weight loss

Exams and Tests

Tests that may be done include:

Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal CT scan or MRI
Complete blood count
Liver biopsy - rarely done due to high risk of complications
Liver scan
Liver function tests
Serology for amebiasis

References

Wells CD, Arguedas M. Amebic liver abscess. South Med J. 2004 Jul;97(7):673-82.

Torre A, Kershenobich D. Amebic liver abscess. Ann Hepa tol. 2002 Jan-Mar;1(1):45-7.

Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Amebic Liver Abscess. In: Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 7th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2002:1345-1346.


Liver cell death

Review Date: 6/29/2007
Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant AttendingPhysician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & MedicalDirector, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, HarlemHospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.