TB Research

Isolated Tubercular Liver Abscess: A Rare Case Report

Mohshin MA, Muhammad Hezbullah, Foez SA

The Journal of Sylhet Women’s Medical College · 2023-07

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a global public health problem, particularly in the developing countries [1]. It usually involves organs like lungs and/or gastrointestinal (GI) tract [2]. Hepatic involvement is usually associated with miliary tuberculosis which is one of the most characteristic manifestations of tuberculosis. Isolated liver abscess without any primary infection is a rare clinical entity. It is more difficult for a clinician to diagnose as in most cases it is frequently confused with pyogenic or amoebic liver abscess or a hepatoma [3]. Only a few cases have been reported in Bangladesh till date [4-7]. Recently we came across tubercular liver abscess in an immunocompromised patient without any primary foci of infection which was really a diagnostic challenge for us. Objectives: The objective of reporting this case is to aware clinicians about the uncommon presentation of a common disease like tuberculosis. This will be an eye-opening experience for clinicians and help in formulating differentials in the workup of patient with pyrexia due to non-resolving liver abscess.

MeSH terms

  • Medicine
  • Pyogenic liver abscess
  • Tuberculosis
  • Liver abscess
  • Miliary tuberculosis
  • Presentation (obstetrics)
  • Abscess
  • Surgery