Thoracic complications of amebiasis.

The most recent statistics clearly show that the incidence of amebiasis in Canada has increased progressively over the past 10 years. The authors review the incidence, pathophysiology and management of thoracic complications of amebiasis, including the experience from endemic countries. Complications include amebic liver abscess, best treated with metronidazole, and the resulting thoracic complications of pleural and pericardial effusion, atelectasis and rupture into the thoracic cavity. Since amebic liver abscess always precedes the thoracic complications, its early diagnosis and treatment will prevent these complications in most cases of amebiasis.