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British Medical Bulletin Dec 2019Liver abscesses are mainly caused by parasitic or bacterial infection and are an important cause of hospitalization in low-middle income countries (LMIC). The... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Liver abscesses are mainly caused by parasitic or bacterial infection and are an important cause of hospitalization in low-middle income countries (LMIC). The pathophysiology of abscesses is different depending on the etiology and requires different strategies for diagnosis and management. This paper discusses pathophysiology and epidemiology, the current diagnostic approach and its limitations and management of liver abscess in low resource settings.
SOURCES OF DATA
We searched PubMed for relevant reviews by typing the following keywords: 'amoebic liver abscess' and 'pyogenic liver abscess'.
AREAS OF AGREEMENT
Amoebic liver abscess can be treated medically while pyogenic liver abscess usually needs to be percutaneously drained and treated with effective antibiotics.
AREAS OF CONTROVERSY
In an LMIC setting, where misuse of antibiotics is a recognized issue, liver abscesses are a therapeutic conundrum, leaving little choices for treatment for physicians in low capacity settings.
GROWING POINTS
As antimicrobial resistance awareness and antibiotic stewardship programs are put into place, liver abscess management will likely improve in LMICs provided that systematic adapted guidelines are established and practiced.
AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH
The lack of a quick and reliable diagnostic strategy in the majority of LMIC makes selection of appropriate treatment challenging.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Liver Abscess; Liver Abscess, Amebic; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic; Medically Underserved Area; Prognosis
PubMed: 31836890
DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldz032 -
American Family Physician Jun 2019The Bartholin glands, located in the base of the labia minora, have a role in vaginal lubrication. Because of the presence of other glands, removal of a Bartholin gland...
The Bartholin glands, located in the base of the labia minora, have a role in vaginal lubrication. Because of the presence of other glands, removal of a Bartholin gland does not affect lubrication. Ductal blockage of these typically pea-sized structures can result in enlargement of the gland and subsequent development of Bartholin duct cysts or gland abscesses. Two percent of women will develop a cyst or an abscess in their lifetime, and physicians should be familiar with the range of treatment options. Bartholin duct cysts and gland abscesses can be treated in the office. The healing and recurrence rates are similar among fistulization, marsupialization, and silver nitrate and alcohol sclerotherapy. Needle aspiration and incision and drainage, the two simplest procedures, are not recommended because of the relatively increased recurrence rate.
Topics: Abscess; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Bartholin's Glands; Cysts; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 31194482
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Sep 2017A brain abscess is a focal infection of the brain that begins as a localized area of cerebritis. In immunocompetent patients, bacteria are responsible for >95% of brain... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A brain abscess is a focal infection of the brain that begins as a localized area of cerebritis. In immunocompetent patients, bacteria are responsible for >95% of brain abscesses, and enter the brain either through contiguous spread following otitis, sinusitis, neurosurgery, or cranial trauma, or through haematogenous dissemination.
AIMS
To identify recent advances in the field.
SOURCES
We searched Medline and Embase for articles published during years 2012-2016, with the keywords 'brain' and 'abscess'.
CONTENT
The triad of headache, fever and focal neurological deficit is complete in ∼20% of patients on admission. Brain imaging with contrast-preferentially magnetic resonance imaging-is the reference standard for diagnosis, and should be followed by stereotactic aspiration of at least one lesion, before the start of any antimicrobials. Efforts should be made for optimal management of brain abscess samples, for reliable microbiological documentation. Empirical treatment should cover oral streptococci (including milleri group), methicillin-susceptible staphylococci, anaerobes and Enterobacteriaceae. As brain abscesses are frequently polymicrobial, de-escalation based on microbiological results is safe only when aspiration samples have been processed optimally, or when primary diagnosis is endocarditis. Otherwise, many experts advocate for anaerobes coverage even with no documentation, given the sub-optimal sensitivity of current techniques. A 6-week combination of third-generation cephalosporin and metronidazole will cure most cases of community-acquired brain abscess in immunocompetent patients.
IMPLICATIONS
Significant advances in brain imaging, minimally invasive neurosurgery, molecular biology and antibacterial agents have dramatically improved the prognosis of brain abscess in immunocompetent patients over the last decades.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Brain Abscess; Drainage; Humans; Neurosurgical Procedures
PubMed: 28501669
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.05.004 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Apr 2021The diagnosis of intracerebral fungal abscesses may be difficult due to the paucity of laboratory tests and similar radiological appearance to other lesions.
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of intracerebral fungal abscesses may be difficult due to the paucity of laboratory tests and similar radiological appearance to other lesions.
CASE PRESENTATION
We present an immunocompromised woman in her forties who was admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. MRI examination showed findings suggestive of fungal abscesses, and a subsequent lumbar puncture showed PCR positive for non-fumigatus Aspergillus. The patient received antifungal treatment and had satisfactory clinical, biochemical and radiological response. Consecutive MRI examinations over the following weeks showed gradual decrease of abscesses, with almost complete resolution within 12 weeks.
INTERPRETATION
Adequate management of brain abscesses requires correct identification of the causative agent, so that proper treatment can be initiated as soon as possible. MRI plays an important role in distinguishing between pyogenic and fungal brain abscesses. Headaches or focal neurological deficits in immunocompromised patients should cause CNS fungal infection to be considered.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Aspergillosis; Brain Abscess; Female; Headache; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 33876620
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.20.0825 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger May 2021A lung abscess is a necrotising infection leading to loss of healthy lung tissue. It develops over several weeks, and the typical presentation includes cough, fever, and... (Review)
Review
A lung abscess is a necrotising infection leading to loss of healthy lung tissue. It develops over several weeks, and the typical presentation includes cough, fever, and general deterioration. The clinical work-up includes contrast-enhanced CT-scans, and frequently flexible bronchoscopy with broncho-alveolar lavage as described in this review. The infection commonly represents aspiration of oral bacterial flora, including anaerobic microbes. Penicillin resistance is common. A lung abscess generally requires long-term, tailored antibiotic treatment. The patient should consult a dentist to identify possible dental foci.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bronchoscopy; Humans; Lung; Lung Abscess
PubMed: 34060466
DOI: No ID Found -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Dec 2020Anal abscesses are well-known conditions worldwide. The golden standard of acute treatment is incision and drainage. Knowledge of the anatomy of the anal area and the... (Review)
Review
Anal abscesses are well-known conditions worldwide. The golden standard of acute treatment is incision and drainage. Knowledge of the anatomy of the anal area and the abscess involvement of perianal spaces is crucial in order to perform safe and correct surgical treatment as summarised in this review. Pre- and perioperative imaging with magnetic resonance imaging, endoanal ultrasonography or CT facilitates correct incision and drainage, while antibiotics as conservative approach have no place in the treatment of abscesses. One third of the patients have an underlying fistula, and if suspected referral to a fistula centre is warranted.
Topics: Abscess; Anal Canal; Anus Diseases; Drainage; Humans; Rectal Fistula
PubMed: 33317691
DOI: No ID Found -
BMJ Case Reports Oct 2020A 43-year-old woman with Crohn's disease was admitted to the hospital with weight loss and 1 week of fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. At presentation, the patient...
A 43-year-old woman with Crohn's disease was admitted to the hospital with weight loss and 1 week of fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. At presentation, the patient was not on steroids or other immunosuppressive agents. Cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen revealed active colitis and multiple splenic and hepatic abscesses. All culture data were negative, including aspiration of purulent material from the spleen. Despite weeks of intravenous antibiotics, daily fever and abdominal pain persisted, the intra-abdominal abscesses grew, and she developed pleuritic chest pain and consolidations of the right lung. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with aseptic abscess syndrome, a rare sequelae of inflammatory bowel disease. All antimicrobials were discontinued and she was treated with high-dose intravenous steroids, resulting in rapid clinical improvement. She was transitioned to infliximab and azathioprine as an outpatient and repeat imaging demonstrated complete resolution of the deep abscesses that had involved her spleen, liver and lungs.
Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Crohn Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33122231
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236437 -
Acta Gastro-enterologica Belgica 2019Splenic abscess is a rare but potentially fatal entity, occurring mainly in patients with underlying risk factors. Mortality of the disease depends on the time of... (Review)
Review
Splenic abscess is a rare but potentially fatal entity, occurring mainly in patients with underlying risk factors. Mortality of the disease depends on the time of diagnosis and treatment. Due to low sensitivity and specificity of clinical symptoms and laboratory markers, imaging plays the vital role in the diagnostic work-up. The aim of this article is to give a concise overview of the methods of splenic abscess diagnosis.
Topics: Abscess; Bacterial Infections; Humans; Intraabdominal Infections; Risk Factors; Splenic Diseases; Time Factors
PubMed: 31566331
DOI: No ID Found -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Feb 2022Previous literature is vague on the prevalence and exact nature of abscesses in tonsillar infections, ranging from intratonsillar and peritonsillar collections to deep...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Previous literature is vague on the prevalence and exact nature of abscesses in tonsillar infections, ranging from intratonsillar and peritonsillar collections to deep extension involving the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal spaces. MR imaging has excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting neck infections and can potentially clarify this issue. We sought to characterize the spectrum of MR imaging findings regarding tonsillar infections.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of emergency neck MR imaging scans of patients with tonsillar infections. Imaging data were assessed in terms of signs of infection and the location of abscesses and were compared with clinical findings, final diagnoses, and surgical findings as reference standards.
RESULTS
The study included 132 patients with tonsillar infection. Of these, 110 patients (83%) had ≥1 abscess (99 unilateral, 11 bilateral; average volume, 3.2 mL). Most abscesses were peritonsillar, and we found no evidence of intratonsillar abscess. Imaging showed evidence of parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal extension in 36% and 10% of patients, respectively. MR imaging had a high positive predictive value for both abscesses (0.98) and deep extension (0.86). Patients with large abscesses and widespread edema patterns had a more severe course of illness.
CONCLUSIONS
Emergency neck MR imaging can accurately describe the extent and nature of abscess formation in tonsillar infections.
Topics: Humans; Infections; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neck; Peritonsillar Abscess; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34916205
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A7368 -
Journal of Visceral Surgery Apr 2015The glands of Hermann and Desfosses, located in the thickness of the anal canal, drain into the canal at the dentate line. Infection of these anal glands is responsible... (Review)
Review
The glands of Hermann and Desfosses, located in the thickness of the anal canal, drain into the canal at the dentate line. Infection of these anal glands is responsible for the formation of abscesses and/or fistulas. When this presents as an abscess, emergency drainage of the infected cavity is required. At the stage of fistula, treatment has two sometimes conflicting objectives: effective drainage and preservation of continence. These two opposing constraints explain the existence of two therapeutic concepts. On one hand the laying-open of the fistulous tract (fistulotomy) in one or several operative sessions remains the treatment of choice because of its high cure rates. On the other hand surgical closure with tract ligation or obturation with biological components preserves sphincter function but suffers from a higher failure rate.
Topics: Abscess; Anus Diseases; Emergencies; Humans; Ligation; Rectal Fistula; Suction; Surgical Flaps; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 25261376
DOI: 10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2014.07.008