Pyogenic liver abscess: warning indicator of silent colonic cancer. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Purpose: Carcinoma of the colon, manifested clinically as an enterococcal hepatic abscess, in the absence of liver metastases, is very uncommon. However, having treated a patient with such a condition, we would like to draw the attention of surgeons to this possibility. Most reports describe secondary infections of hepatic metastases only in patients with a known malignancy. However, increased awareness of colonic cancer as an underlying cause of pyogenic liver abscesses will afford earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: The case was analyzed for history, presentation, laboratory data, radiologic studies, and bacteriology.

Results: A 66-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, fever, and chills. Imaging scans revealed a solitary liver abscess, which was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics. Pus cultures grew Streptococcus faecalis. A search for the underlying cause led to the discovery of an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon.

Conclusions: An aggressive search for the underlying cause of pyogenic liver abscesses should be an integral part of the definitive treatment of this disease. After prevailing etiologies have been excluded, silent colonic cancer should be considered.