Abstract
Amoebiasis is a common infection widely prevalent in tropical countries with low income and poor sanitation. The clinical picture is usually nonspecific; however, invasion of the liver by Entamoeba histolytica could lead to an amoebic liver abscess (ALA). It is relatively uncommon in women and children. Though rare, extension of ALA into the lungs, pleural cavity, and pericardium may prove fatal. Pericardial amoebiasis is a rare complication which, if not treated early, could result in cardiac tamponade and subsequent death. The standard management option is eradication with metronidazole along with the drainage of fluid from the liver abscess and pericardial effusion. Herein, we present a case of a seven-year-old male child with ALA, who developed signs and symptoms suggesting pericardial effusion within a few days of hospital admission. Early diagnosis of pericardial complication and successful management of abscess resolved the pericardial effusion.
Highlights
The clinical picture is usually nonspecific; invasion of the liver by Entamoeba histolytica could lead to an amoebic liver abscess (ALA)
Amoebiasis is an infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a potential parasitic protozoan transmitted through the fecal-oral route
ALA is the most common extra-intestinal manifestation of amoebiasis, which is an infection caused by the protozoan E. histolytica
Summary
Amoebiasis is an infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, a potential parasitic protozoan transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Rupture of an amoebic liver abscess into the pericardial cavity is a rare and highly dangerous complication. It occurs in less than 2% of cases, in which the ALA occurs in the left lobe of the liver [3,4]. We report a case of pericardial effusion, occurring as a rare complication of amoebic liver abscess in a seven-year-old male child. Echocardiography showed mild to moderate pericardial effusion Cardiac markers such as creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) and Troponin I & T were within the normal range. Subsequent follow-up at two weeks showed no signs of a residual liver abscess or pericardial effusion
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