Hepato-Duodenal Fistula Complicating a Pyogenic Liver Abscess: An Unusual Presentation

Abstract

An elderly male with type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted to the emergency ward with fever and pain over the right hypochondrium since one month. An abdominal ultrasound revealed an ill-defined hypoechoic lesion with multiple air foci measuring 8 x 6 x 4 cm within the left lobe of the liver implicating segments III b and IV. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen showed a similar lesion with leakage of oral contrast into the dependent areas of the collection from a rent in the antero-inferior aspect of the first part of the duodenum. Hepato-duodenal fistula or entero-hepatic fistula secondary to pyogenic liver abscess is an atypical and unusual complication requiring a high degree of suspicion for its diagnosis. Though optimal therapy for its management is still not known, early diagnosis with prompt initiation of therapy is imperative to reduce mortality.