Dysphagia: An unusual complication of caudate lobe liver abscess

Abstract

A 5-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain, dysphagia, respiratory distress, and fever for the past 3 weeks. The pain was dull in character; present in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium. The patient was unable to swallow solid food and there was difficulty in swallowing even semi-solids and liquids. On examination, there was decreased air entry on the right side with epigastric tenderness. The radiological evaluation suggested caudate lobe liver abscess in close relation with abdominal esophagus resulting in mild compression at gastro-esophageal junction. Pleural effusion on the right side was drained. Broad-spectrum antibiotics including amoebicidal therapy resulted in the dissolution of symptoms and rapid recovery. Caudate lobe liver abscess may result in dysphagia (as its unusual complication) due to inflammation and extraluminal compression at gastro-esophageal junction.