Pyogenic liver abscess complicating biliary stricture due to chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND

Chronic pancreatitis uncommonly causes common bile duct stricture, and common bile duct stricture rarely leads to pyogenic liver abscess.

METHODS

We describe a 51-year-old man who developed a pyogenic liver abscess after the development of a common bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis.

RESULTS

The patient required open drainage of the liver abscess and decompressive choledochoduodenostomy. His infection was persistent and he required percutaneous and subsequent open drainage of a second hepatic abscess. The patient died of refractory sepsis and multi-organ failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The relevant English literature concerning pyogenic liver abscesses, specifically in the setting of common bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis, is reviewed and discussed.