Abstract

Two hundred and thirty six patients with amoebic liver abscess were investigated for cholestasis, its mechanism and the natural course of the disease. Cholestasis was seen in 29% of cases and it presented with some unusual features: it was frequently seen in young men (mean age 38.6 +/- 6.3 years) (87%) with acute onset (69%) and was associated with signs of peritonism, or peritonitis (28%), splenomegaly (12%) and hepatic encephalopathy (coma 13%). Raised diaphragm was seen only in 37% of cases. Alcoholism may have contributed to the cholestasis in 37% of cases. Multiple (43%) and single (32%) large liver abscesses, especially on the inferior surface of the liver (25%), were common in jaundiced patients with amoebic liver abscess, while size and number of abscesses were directly related to the raised serum bilirubin concentrations. Bromsulphalein excretion (BSP) was found to be significantly reduced (p less than 0.01) in patients with jaundice (60%). Retrograde injection of contrast media into the common bile duct during six necropsies showed compression by amoebic liver abscess on the hepatic ducts. The mortality (43%) and the complications were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in patients with jaundice. The aspiration/surgical drainage of amoebic liver abscess together with a combination of metronidazole and di-iodohydroxyquinoline was more effective than either metronidazole alone, or dehydroemetine with chloroquine.