Peritonitis from amoebic liver abscess

Abstract

Abstract Four consecutive cases of peritonitis from rupture of amoebic liver abscess presenting late with the condition have been described. After treatment involving intensive resuscitation with adequate fluid therapy, ampicillin and hydrocortisone, and early laparotomy all 4 cases survived. The likelihood of this result recurring by chance is calculated at 0·3 per cent (P≤0·05). The conclusion is drawn that now that surgery is safer and metronidazole is available as a rapidly acting non-toxic amoebicide, perhaps amoebic abscesses should no longer be regarded differently from other hepatic abscesses, at least when they rupture into the peritoneal cavity.