Liver abscess caused by toothpick and treated by laparoscopic left hepatic resection: case report and literature review

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Aug 8:2012:bcr2012006408. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006408.

Abstract

Hepatic abscesses caused by ingested foreign bodies have been reported in the medical literature but represent very uncommon events. Extra-luminal migration of sawing needles and pins is the most common cause of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract associated with liver infections. Other non-metallic sharp objects such as animal bones and toothpicks have been described but are less frequent. The authors present a case of a 45-year-old woman who suffered from sepsis and a liver abscess because of the migration of a toothpick that lodged in the left hepatic lobe. Review of the literature on the pathogenesis and clinical management of liver abscesses caused by ingested foreign is presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnosis
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery*
  • Hepatectomy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Abscess / diagnosis
  • Liver Abscess / etiology*
  • Liver Abscess / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / etiology
  • Sepsis / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wood*