Efficacy of Tounongsan decoction on pyogenic liver abscess: network pharmacology and clinical trial validation.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the effect of Tounongsan decoction (, TNS) on the pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: Based on oral bioavailability and drug-likeness, the main active components of TNS were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology platform. The GeneCard and UniProt databases were used to establish a database of pyogenic liver abscess targets. The interactive network map of drug-ingredients-target-disease was constructed using Cytoscape software (Version 3.7.2). A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and the related protein interaction relationships were analyzed. biological process of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed for the core targets. Finally, a clinical trial was performed to verify the reliability of the network pharmacology. RESULTS: Forty active components of TNS decoction were obtained, and 61 potential targets and 11 proteins were identified. Pathways involved in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscess include the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT), advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGE-RAGE), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathways. The results of network pharmacology analysis combined with clinical trials validated that TNS decoction could alleviate the inflammatory response of pyogenic liver abscesses by decreasing interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. CONCLUSIONS: TNS decoction has the characteristics of being multi-system, multi-component, and multi-target. Active ingredients in TNS, such as quercetin, kaempferol, fisetin, and ß-sitosterol, have strong potential to be candidate drugs for treating pyogenic liver abscesses. The possible mechanism of TSN decoction includes regulating immune and inflammatory responses and reducing IL-6 production to control inflammatory development.

Liver abscess due to Granulicatella adiacens in an immunocompetent patient: Case report / Absceso hepático por Granulicatella adiacens

Pyogenic liver abscesses due to Granulicatella adiacens are infections associated with high mortality, mainly in immunocompromised patients. The main microorganisms associated with liver abscesses are Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, though it may also be polymicrobial. However, case reports describing liver infection by Granulicatella adiacens are scarce. We present the case of an immunocompetent adult patient who presented 15 days of evolution consisting of quantified fever peaks associated with asthenia, adynamia, chills, jaundice and coluria. The initial clinical examination revealed a generalized icteric tint without abdominal pain, and blood pressure with a tendency to hypotension. Biliopancreatic confluent neoplasia, secondary cholangitis and sepsis of biliary origin were suspected, initiating fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy; blood cultures and complementary diagnostic studies were taken. Hepatobiliary ultrasound with evidence of an abscess of 73 x 62 mm in segment IV; the bile duct and pancreas were within normal limits. To better characterize the lesion evidenced in the liver, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen was performed. The patient completed antibiotic management with ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and metronidazole in good condition and was successfully discharged. This is the first pyogenic liver abscess reported caused by Granulicatella adiacens in an immunocompetent patient, in whom early microbiological diagnosis in conjunction with targeted antibiotic treatment and percutaneous drainage of the lesion was decisive in the clinical outcome.

Los abscesos hepáticos piógenos por Granulicatella adiacens son infecciones asociadas a una alta mortalidad, principalmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Los principales microorganismos asociados a los abscesos hepáticos son Klebsiella pneumoniae y Escherichia coli, aunque pueden ser polimicrobianos. Sin embargo, los informes de casos que describen la infección hepática por G. adiacens son muy escasos. Se presenta el caso de un paciente adulto inmunocompetente que presentó 15 días de evolución de picos febriles cuantificados asociados a astenia, adinamia, escalofríos, ictericia y coluria. El examen clínico inicial reveló un tinte ictérico generalizado sin dolor abdominal, y presión arterial con tendencia a la hipotensión. Se sospechó neoplasia biliopancreática confluente, colangitis secundaria y sepsis de origen biliar, y se inició reanimación con líquidos y antibioterapia. Se tomaron hemocultivos y estudios diagnósticos complementarios. En el ultrasonido hepatobiliar, se observó un absceso de 73 x 62 mm en el segmento IV; la vía biliar y el páncreas se encontraron dentro de los límites normales. Se realizaron múltiples pruebas moleculares de detección de microorganismos (FilmArray), y se identificó a G. adiacens como el principal agente patógeno. El paciente completó el manejo antibiótico con ciprofloxacina, vancomicina y metronidazol en buenas condiciones y fue dado de alta con éxito. Este es el primer absceso hepático piógeno reportado causado por G. adiacens en un paciente inmunocompetente, en quien el diagnóstico microbiológico temprano en conjunto con el tratamiento antibiótico dirigido y el drenaje percutáneo de la lesión fueron determinantes en el resultado clínico.

Two cases of brucellosis complicated with liver abscess or pancytopenia / 中华全科医师杂志

Two brucellosis patients with rare complications are presented in this report. In case 1, abdominal CT showed two liver abscesses with the maximum diameter>5.0 cm, no puncture and drainage were given. After treatment with anti brucellosis drugs, the abscess lesions disappeared completely. Case 2 had pancytopenia, the platelet count was reduced to 14×10 9/L. After anti brucellosis drug treatment the peripheral blood routine returned to normal. These two cases of rare complications of brucellosis suggests that early identification, diagnosis and treatment can improve the clinical outcomes of the patients.

Difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of pyogenic liver abscess / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess accompanied by metastatic infectious complications was firstly reported in 1986. The pathogen was defined as Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) after a series of studies, which is an evolving pathotype and more virulent than classical K. pneumoniae (cKp). At present, it is difficult to distinguish hvKp and cKp in the clinical microbiology lab, which results in delay in early diagnosis and treatment on hvKp-related infections. Biliary tract diseases after cholangiojejunostomy, biliary interventional therapy and liver transplantation have become common causes of recurrent acute cholangitis. The incidence of bacterial liver abscess is on the rise, especially the infection caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. This article reviews difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of bacterial liver abscess.

Maximal diameter of liver abscess independently predicts prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and in-hospital mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were admitted between 2005 and 2018 at three tertiary hospitals in Jeonbuk province, South Korea. Prolonged hospital stay was defined as a duration of hospital admission of more than 21 days. RESULTS: A total of 648 patients (406 men and 242 women) diagnosed with pyogenic liver abscess were enrolled in the study. The mean maximal diameter of the liver abscess was 5.4 ± 2.6 cm, and 74.9% of the lesions were single. The three groups were divided according to the maximal diameter of the abscess. Laboratory parameters indicated a more severe inflammatory state and higher incidence of complications and extrahepatic manifestations with increasing abscess size. Rates of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) insertion, multiple PCD drainage, and salvage procedures as well as duration of drainage were also higher in the large liver abscess group. Of note, the duration of hospitalization and in-hospital mortality were significantly higher in the large hepatic abscess group. A multivariate analysis revealed that underlying diabetes mellitus, hypoalbuminemia, high baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and procalcitonin levels, and large maximal abscess diameter were independent factors associated with prolonged hospital stay. Regarding in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury at admission and maximal diameter of the abscess were independent factors associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: A large maximal diameter of the liver abscess at admission indicated prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis. More aggressive treatment strategies with careful monitoring are warranted in patients with large liver abscesses.

Infected hepatic echinococcosis. Clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects. A systematic review.

Infected hepatic echinococcosis (IHE), defined as a cystic infection, and the development of a liver abscess may be a complication in the natural history of hepatic echinococcosis. The aim of this study was to review the evidence available related to clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of IHE. We conducted a systematic review. Trip Database, BIREME-BVS, SciELO, LILACS, IBECS, PAHO-WHO; WoS, EMBASE, SCOPUS and PubMed were consulted. Studies related to IHE in humans, without language restriction, published between 1966 and 2020 were considered. Variables studied were publication year, geographical origin of the samples, number of patients, therapeutic and prognosis aspects, and methodological quality (MQ) for each article. Descriptive statistics was applied. Subsequently, weighted averages (WA) of the MQ of each article were calculated for each variable of interest. 960 related articles were identified; 47 fulfilled selection criteria, including 486 patients with a median age of 48 years, 51.6% being male. The largest proportion of articles were from Spain, India, and Greece (36.1%). Mean cyst diameter was 14.1 cm, and main location was right liver lobe (74.0%). WA for morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and follow-up were 28.5%, 7.4%, 8.5 days and 14.8 months, respectively. The most common causative microorganisms of superinfection isolated were Enterobacteriaceae. An association with cholangitis was reported in 13.4% of cases. Mean MQ of the 47 articles included was 7.6 points. We can conclude that the information related to IHE is scarce and scattered throughout articles of small casuistry and poor quality, and consequently does not provide strong evidence.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess].

Objective: To summarize the clinical features of patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess(KP-PLA). Methods: Clinical data of 133 patients with pyogenic liver abscess(PLA) and positive results of blood or pus culture were retrospectively analyzed in Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from 2009 to 2018. According to the culture results, patients were divided into KP-PLA group (n=92) and non-KP-PLA group (n=41). Results: KP-PLA and non-KP-PLA were similar in gender composition with males accounting for 67.39% and 70.73%, and had age of (56.8±13.8) years and (55.0±13.0) years (χ(2)=0.146, 0.708, P>0.05) respectively. The underlying diseases were more common in KP-PLA group, including diabetes accounting for 45.65% and 24.39%, and hypertension accounting for 32.61% and 14.63% (χ(2)=5.384, 4.642, P<0.05) respectively. Patients with KP-PLA had more invasive infections beyond liver than those with non-KP-PLA, which were 27.17% and 9.76% (χ(2)=5.046, P=0.025). The laboratory results showed that hemoglobin levels in KP-PLA and non-KP-PLA were (109.88±20.97) g/L and (97.75±20.25) g/L (t=3.086, P=0.002). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels were 146.50 (114.50, 237.50) U/L and 220.50 (120.00, 316.75) U/L in KP-PLA and non-KP-PLA (U=2 239.500, P=0.048) patients. Conclusions: KP-PLA mainly develops in middle-aged and elderly men, especially those with diabetes and hypertension. Patients with KP-PLA need to be paid more attention for invasive manifestations beyond liver.

Morphological characteristics of liver abscesses according its etiology / Características morfológicas de los abscesos hepáticos según su etiología

Although infrequent in the diagnostics areas, liver abscesses are of significant relevance, which is related to the high morbidity and mortality figures they can cause if they are not detected and treated in time. Although multiple operational classifications are described, the one most recognized for its usefulness is that related to its causative agent (pyogenic or bacterial infection, hydatid origin or secondary to infected hydatidosis, and amoebic or by invasive amebiasis). The objective of this article was to generate a study report regarding the morphological characteristics of liver abscesses, characterizing them according to their etiology, as well as describing their study and the latest recommended treatments.

Los abscesos hepáticos son entidades nosológicas de baja frecuencia, pero de significativa relevancia, la que se relacionada con las elevadas cifras de morbilidad y mortalidad que pueden causar si no son detectados y tratados a tiempo. Si bien se describen múltiples clasificaciones operacionales, aquella más reconocida por su utilidad es la relacionada a su agente causal (piógenos o bacterianos, hidatídicos o secundarios a hidatidosis infectada, y amebianos o por amebiasis invasora). El objetivo de este artículo fue generar un documento de estudio respecto de las características morfológicas de los abscesos hepáticos, caracterizándolos de acuerdo con su etiología, así como describir su estudio y tratamiento recomendado de acuerdo con el estado del arte.

Absceso hepático piógeno en pediatría: serie de casos / Pyogenic liver abscess in children: a case series

El absceso hepático es un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Es una patología poco frecuente en la niñez que predomina en países en desarrollo y se asocia a malnutrición y parasitosis. El absceso hepático piógeno es el más frecuente, es una causa de hospitalización prolongada por el requerimiento de antimicrobianos endovenosos; usualmente con baja mortalidad. A continuación, presentamos una serie de cuatro casos clínicos de pacientes con abscesos hepáticos piógenos que fueron manejados entre el 2016 y 2018 en el Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas. Tres pacientes fueron del sexo femenino y uno masculino. En dos de los pacientes se identi có factor predisponente: diabetes mellitus e infección avanzada por VIH. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron ebre (100%), dolor abdominal (100%) y hepatomegalia (50%). En ninguno de los casos se sospechó absceso hepático a su ingreso. Los casos fueron diagnosticados por sonograma hepático y corroborados con tomografía abdominal. El tamaño promedio de las lesiones fue de 6.88 x 6.18 x 6.12 cm. Tres fueron de localización derecha y uno de localización izquierda. Todos los pacientes recibieron antibioticoterapia de amplio espectro y drenaje percutáneo. Se identi có agente etiológico en uno de los pacientes: Staphylococcus aureus. Los pacientes recibieron una media de 33 + 3.5 días de tratamiento. Con evolución favorable en todos los casos y mejoría en seguimiento con ultrasonidos. Ningún paciente requirió intervención quirúrgica.

The liver abscess involves an authentic diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. It is not frecuent in childhood. Occurs mainly in developing countries and is associated to malnutrition and parasitic infection, that are described as risk factors. Pyogenic liver abscess represents, in most of the cases, a cause of long-time hospitalizations because of the requirement of endovenous treatment, but usually with low mortality. We describe a four-case series of patients with pyogenic liver abscess between 2016 and 2018 in Hospital de Especialidades Pediatricas in Panamá City. Three patients were female and one was a male. In two of the cases, there were risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and advanced HIV infection. The most frequent symptoms were: fever (100%), abdominal pain (100%) and hepatomegaly (50%). In neither one of the cases, liver abscess was suspected as diagnosis. All cases were diagnosed by hepatic sonogram and con rmed by abdominal CT- scan. The mean size of lesions was 6.88 x 6.18 x 6.12 cm. Three of the cases were located in right lobe and one in the left lobe of the liver. They were managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in one case. The patients received a mean of 33 + 3.5 days of treatment. All cases evolved well with improvement of lesion in ultrasonography. None of the patients required surgical intervention.

Clinical features of diabetic patients with bacterial liver abscess and different levels of glycosylated hemoglobin / 临床肝胆病杂志

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of diabetic patients with bacterial liver abscess and different levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc). MethodsA total of 118 adult diabetic patients with bacterial liver abscess who were admitted to our hospital from December 2014 to December 2018 were enrolled, and according to the level of HbAlc, they were divided into well-controlled group with 32 patients, fairly-controlled group with 31 patients, and poorly-controlled group with 55 patients. The three groups were compared in terms of general data, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, complications, and pathogen test results. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThere were significant differences in mean age and length of hospital stay between the three groups (F=2.933 and 3.310, both P＜0.05). Compared with the other two groups, the poorly-controlled group had a significantly younger mean age of onset (P=0.016) and a significantly longer length of hospital stay (P=0.044). Hypertension was the most common underlying disease in diabetic patients with liver abscess, followed by biliary tract diseases and cerebral infarction, and there was a significant difference in cerebral infarction between the three groups (χ2=6.135, P=0037). Compared with the well-controlled group, the poorly-controlled group had significantly fewer and less typical signs of abdominal tenderness (χ2=6.178, P=0.046), and compared with the other two groups, the poorly-controlled group tended to have a significant increase in C-reactive protein (χ2=5.985, P=0.049) and were more likely to develop sepsis (χ2=6.247, P=0.044). ConclusionFor diabetic patients with bacterial liver abscess, the patients with a poorly controlled HbAlc level often have a young age of onset, a long length of hospital stay, and atypical clinical signs and are likely to develop sepsis, which may lead to insufficient attention in clinical practice, delay diagnosis and treatment, and even endanger life, and therefore, such patients should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Two cases of pyogenic liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae in immunocompetent children

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) can be caused by bacteria entering the liver via the portal vein or primary bacteremia, or it can be cryptogenic. Recently, Klebsiella pneumoniae has been increasingly found as a PLA pathogen. PLA due to this bacterium often leads to formation of extrahepatic abscesses. The treatment of choice is dual therapy with insertion of percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotic therapy. We report 2 cases of PLA due to K. pneumoniae in immunocompetent children. We successfully treated patient 1 with percutaneous catheter drainage for 18 days and 6-week course of antibiotic therapy. Patient 2 was treated with percutaneous needle aspiration and antibiotic therapy for the same period. In both patients, the PLAs showed the ultrasound-confirmed resolutions after the dual therapy.

Ruptured Gas-forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess into the Peritoneal Cavity Treated Successfully with Medical Treatment.

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is very rare and has a very high mortality in case of rupture into the abdominal cavity, which usually require surgical treatment. We experienced a case of a ruptured GFPLA due to Klebsiella pneumoniae complicated with peritonitis and sepsis in a 68-year-old diabetic woman. Immediate and aggressive medical treatments including intravenous antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, and continuous renal replacement therapy dramatically improved the liver abscess, peritonitis, and metabolic problems. We report an unusual case of a ruptured GFPLA without surgical management, treated successfully with only medical treatment.

Clinical observation of venenum bufonis combined with antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial liver abscess / 中国基层医药

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of venenum bufonis combined with antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial liver abscess .Methods 60 patients with bacterial liver abscess were enrolled ,and all patients took percutaneous transhepatic puncture guided by ultrasound .They were randomly divided into two groups according to the digital table ,30 cases in each group .The control group received antibiotics treatment ,and the treatment group received venenum bufonis plus antibiotics intravenous drip ,once daily ,one course of treatment lasted seven days .The body temperature , blood routine , procalcitonin and other project changes of the two groups were detected .Results Compared with the control group,the effective rate of the treatment group was higher (96.7％ vs.80.0％,χ2 =4.043,P=0.044).In the treatment group,the time of body temperature returning to normal [(7.00 ±1.67)d vs. (9.00 ±1.41)d],leukocyte recovery time [(7.83 ±2.32) d vs.(9.82 ±1.94) d],procalcitonin recovery time [(7.00 ±1.67)d vs.(9.00 ±1.41)d],symptom disappearance time [(5.17 ±1.72)d vs.(7.50 ±1.87)d],disap-pearance time of abscess[(12.00 ±3.41)d vs.(16.00 ±2.37)d]were shorter than those in the control group(t=-2.601,-2.890,-2.236,-2.248,-2.362,P=0.026,0.016,0.049,0.044,0.041).Conclusion Venenum bufonis combined with antibiotics can significantly increase the curative rate and accelerate infection control , there-fore,it is worthy of popularizing in clinical practice .

Ruptured Gas-forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess into the Peritoneal Cavity Treated Successfully with Medical Treatment / 대한소화기학회지

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is very rare and has a very high mortality in case of rupture into the abdominal cavity, which usually require surgical treatment. We experienced a case of a ruptured GFPLA due to Klebsiella pneumoniae complicated with peritonitis and sepsis in a 68-year-old diabetic woman. Immediate and aggressive medical treatments including intravenous antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, and continuous renal replacement therapy dramatically improved the liver abscess, peritonitis, and metabolic problems. We report an unusual case of a ruptured GFPLA without surgical management, treated successfully with only medical treatment.

A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer Concomitant with Pyogenic Liver Abscess in the Patient with Subtotal Gastrectomy.

The hematogenous spreading of an infectious pathogen via the portal vein from a mucosal injury in the gastrointestinal tract has been considered as one of the pathologic mechanisms of pyogenic liver abscess. Several studies have presented the association between colorectal cancer and pyogenic liver abscess. However, the cases of stomach cancer concomitant with pyogenic liver abscess have rarely been reported in the world. Herein, we present a case of advanced gastric cancer concomitant with pyogenic liver abscess in a patient who previously underwent subtotal gastrectomy due to peptic ulcer perforation.

A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer Concomitant with Pyogenic Liver Abscess in the Patient with Subtotal Gastrectomy / 대한소화기학회지

The hematogenous spreading of an infectious pathogen via the portal vein from a mucosal injury in the gastrointestinal tract has been considered as one of the pathologic mechanisms of pyogenic liver abscess. Several studies have presented the association between colorectal cancer and pyogenic liver abscess. However, the cases of stomach cancer concomitant with pyogenic liver abscess have rarely been reported in the world. Herein, we present a case of advanced gastric cancer concomitant with pyogenic liver abscess in a patient who previously underwent subtotal gastrectomy due to peptic ulcer perforation.

Recurrent pyogenic liver abscess as a presenting manifestation of colorectal cancer

No abstract available.

The Prevalence of Colonic Neoplasm in Cryptogenic Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Prospectively Enrolled Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies suggest that pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is associated with colon neoplasm. A colonoscopic exam for cryptogenic PLA might detect a hidden colon neoplasm, through which intestinal flora can be transmitted into the liver. However, there are no prospectively enrolled cross-sectional data for colonic neoplasm in cryptogenic PLA. METHODS: Patients with PLA were prospectively enrolled from two university hospitals. Among them, all the patients with cryptogenic PLA were recommended for colonoscopic exam to check for colonic neoplasm. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients with PLA were enrolled in the study for 22 months. One hundred and one (55.2%) patients did not have a definite cause of liver abscess at initial evaluation. The median diameter of the largest lesion was 5.7 cm (1.0-14.0 cm), and 74.3% of the patients were treated by percutaneous abscess drainage. Ninety-one percent of the patients who had an identified pathogen yielded Klebsiella. Sixty-two patients underwent colonoscopic exams, and no one had a colonic cancer, one had an adenomatous polyp with high grade dysplasia (1.6%), and 27 had adenomatous polyps with low grade dysplasia (43.5%; 41.0% in male and 43.5% in female). Of fifty patients who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopic exam, nine had gastric ulcers, one had an esophageal ulcer, and one had hemorrhagic gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of colonic neoplasm among the patients with cryptogenic PLA was not as high as that in previous studies. Further well-designed, large-scale studies are required to assess the association of the colon neoplasm and cryptogenic PLA.

The Prevalence of Colonic Neoplasm in Cryptogenic Pyogenic Liver Abscess: A Prospectively Enrolled Cross-sectional Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies suggest that pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is associated with colon neoplasm. A colonoscopic exam for cryptogenic PLA might detect a hidden colon neoplasm, through which intestinal flora can be transmitted into the liver. However, there are no prospectively enrolled cross-sectional data for colonic neoplasm in cryptogenic PLA. METHODS: Patients with PLA were prospectively enrolled from two university hospitals. Among them, all the patients with cryptogenic PLA were recommended for colonoscopic exam to check for colonic neoplasm. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients with PLA were enrolled in the study for 22 months. One hundred and one (55.2%) patients did not have a definite cause of liver abscess at initial evaluation. The median diameter of the largest lesion was 5.7 cm (1.0-14.0 cm), and 74.3% of the patients were treated by percutaneous abscess drainage. Ninety-one percent of the patients who had an identified pathogen yielded Klebsiella. Sixty-two patients underwent colonoscopic exams, and no one had a colonic cancer, one had an adenomatous polyp with high grade dysplasia (1.6%), and 27 had adenomatous polyps with low grade dysplasia (43.5%; 41.0% in male and 43.5% in female). Of fifty patients who underwent an esophagogastroduodeno-scopic exam, nine had gastric ulcers, one had an esophageal ulcer, and one had hemorrhagic gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of colonic neoplasm among the patients with cryptogenic PLA was not as high as that in previous studies. Further well-designed, large-scale studies are required to assess the association of the colon neoplasm and cryptogenic PLA.