Clinical profile of 250 cases of amoebic liver abscess.

Liver abscess is an emergent public health burden with considerable morbidity. Its prevalence varies from country to country. This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh and Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barishal, Bangladesh from January 2004 to December 2009 to asses clinical pictures of 250 cases of amoebic liver abscess. Majority of patients were male (84%) presenting with upper abdominal pain (96.8%). High grade fever was present in 74% cases. Vomiting & nausea in 29.2% while loss of appetite in 42% patients. Only 4% patients showed diarrhea. On examination, tenderness in right hypochondriac was the predominant signs (95%) associated with hepatomegaly in 80% cases. Seventy eight percent cases showed leucocytosis. Serum alkaline phosphatase was raised in 66% patients. Colour of the aspirate was chocolate/brown in 80% cases. It is our experience that although complications are found hardly, they may take a menacing course if diagnosed, managed or both at the eleventh hour.