Needle aspiration of amoebic liver abscess.

Liver abscess-various modalities of treatment and its clinical outcome

“…Results revealed that the levels of alkaline phosphatase was raised in 59 patients, total bilirubin in 51 (72.85%) showing and lowered albumin in 58 (82.85%) of patients. 4,9 In our study the symptoms, number, location and causes of abscesses were evaluated and they are comparable with the studies of Rajak et al and Tiwari et al 2,4 The mean duration of drainage in our study was 16 days, as compared to Rajak, et al (7 days), Wong (25 days), Sonnenberg (4 days).…”

Efficacy of aspiration in amebic liver abscess

“…2 Van Allan et al (1992) undertook a prospective randomized trial in 41 patients of ALA to test the potential benefit of therapeutic aspiration. 9 The authors Sharma et al 1989 found that chemotherapy alone was as effective as routine needle aspiration and concluded that chemotherapy alone should be the preferred mode of therapy for ALA. 10 However, Ramani et al reported more rapid clinical response in the aspirated group, particularly in uncomplicated ALA with larger (>6cm) abscess cavities. 12 Freeman et al (1990) conducted a study in 36 patients to study the effect of percutaneous needle aspiration on healing or resolution time.…”

Amoebic liver abscess: presentation and complications

“…It has been shown that complete resolution of ALA may take years [27,28]. This is important in the differential diagnosis of space occupying lesion in the liver, especially in those area with a high incidence of ALA and hepatocellular carcinoma.…”