Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Liver, Abdomen, CT, Ultrasound, MR, Contrast agent-intravenous, Abscess, Infection
Authors:
D. Sergi1, M. Di Pietropaolo1, F. Tavanti1, C. De Vincentiis2, C. Bernardi2, C. Briani1, I. Matarazzo3, A. Speranza4, V. David1; 1Rome/IT, 2Roma/IT, 3Tomba di Nerone (RM)/IT, 4Roma, RM/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2013/C-1395
Background
Candida infection is an emerging important nosocomial infection.
Immunosuppressive therapy,
the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and other predisposing factors such as long-term parenteral nutrition or diabetes mellitus,
are responsible for an increasing number of immune-compromised patients and consequent opportunistic infections [2]. Particularly invasive fungal infection and hepatic abscesses are a well-known complication of prolonged neutropenia in patients who are undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies [3].
The most commonly reported symptoms are fever unresponsive to antibiotic treatment and abdominal pain.
Patients may also present with nausea,
vomiting or anorexia [3].
The vague presentation of hepatic candidiasis adds to the difficulty of accurately diagnosing the condition.
Imaging has an important role in the early diagnosis and follow-up of hepatic fungal infection.