[Ultrasonography and amebic abscess of the liver at the CNHU at Cotonou: apropos of 33 cases].

From the 1st of March, 1991 to the 31st of December, 1995, 577 patients had abdominal echographic examinations which enabled the diagnosis of 33 cases of liver amebic abscesses. This study evaluated to what extent echography can facilitate the diagnosis and surveillance of patients during treatment in a region where immunological diagnosis of amebiasis is not yet performed and where percutaneous puncture is just beginning. Patients were suffering from chronic hepatic pain and fever in 28 cases. Seventeen patients had hepatomegaly and 14 patients had lost weight. Echographic images changed with time. In the beginning, there were diverse blurred structures which were 4 to 6 cm in diameter. Subsequently, the content of the abscesses became more homogeneous and in 3 cases the posterior area intensified. Also, the evolution of the disease during treatment by metronidazole could be followed by progressive echographic imaging. All the patients recovered without after-effects and only four of them showed hyperechogenic cicatrization. Two patients had an evacuation of their abscess which resulted in distinct improvement. The authors recommend generalization of that technique in all the hospitals across the country. Echography can thus improve both the diagnosis of liver amebic abscesses and the surveillance during the treatment.