Definition : Liquefaction necrosis of liver tissue caused by amoeba
Aetiology : Spread of amoeba from intestine to liver through portal vein
Pathology
Site : Right lobe of liver. Foci of necrosis (amoebic hepatitis ) are followed by liquefaction and formation of amoebic abscess characterized by :
Macro (gross)
1) Abscess may be single or multiple
2) Usually large
3) Irregular shreddy wall
4) Lumen contain chocolate coloured fluid (called amoebic pus)
Micro
1) Amoebic pus : necrotic liver tissue
2) Wall of abscess contains amoeba and inflammatory cells
Complications
1) Chronicity : the abscess wall becomes fibrotic and may be calcified
2) Spread of amoeba through hepatic veins to lungs then to systemic circulation
3) Secondary infection leads to pus formation and toxaemia
4) Compression of the bile ducts leads to jaundice
5) Rupture : a) upward leads to lung abscess b) downwards to peritoneum
Aetiology : Spread of amoeba from intestine to liver through portal vein
Pathology
Site : Right lobe of liver. Foci of necrosis (amoebic hepatitis ) are followed by liquefaction and formation of amoebic abscess characterized by :
Macro (gross)
1) Abscess may be single or multiple
2) Usually large
3) Irregular shreddy wall
4) Lumen contain chocolate coloured fluid (called amoebic pus)
Micro
1) Amoebic pus : necrotic liver tissue
2) Wall of abscess contains amoeba and inflammatory cells
Complications
1) Chronicity : the abscess wall becomes fibrotic and may be calcified
2) Spread of amoeba through hepatic veins to lungs then to systemic circulation
3) Secondary infection leads to pus formation and toxaemia
4) Compression of the bile ducts leads to jaundice
5) Rupture : a) upward leads to lung abscess b) downwards to peritoneum
