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New Indian Journal of Surgery

Volume  16, Issue 2, April - June 2025, Pages 75-78
 

Case Report

Uncommon Occurrence of Primary Tubercular Liver Abscess in an Immunocompetent Patient: Case Report

Debajanee Rout1, Sibaprashad Pattanayak2, Ambuja Satpathy3, Soumya Ranjan Jena4

1 Post Graduate, Department of General Surgery, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha 760004, India.  2 Professor and HOD, Department of General Surgery, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India.  3 Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha,  India. 4 Assistant Professor Department of Surgery, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, Indi  

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DOI: 10.21088/nijs.0976.4747.16225.6

Abstract

Introduction: Tubercular liver abscess is an extremely rare clinical entity, particularly when it presents in isolation without any pulmonary or gastrointestinal involvement and in the absence of immunocompromising conditions. Tuberculosis affecting the liver is observed in approximately 10 to 15 percent of all extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, while extrapulmonary tuberculosis itself constitutes about 10 to 20 percent of the global tuberculosis burden. Among those with hepatic involvement, tubercular liver abscess represents only a small fraction approximately 0.34 percent making isolated cases in immunocompetent individuals especially uncommon. Case report: We report the case of a 42-year-old male farmer from Ganjam district who presented with right upper abdominal pain, vomiting, and intermittent fever lasting 20 days. Clinical and radiological investigations revealed an isolated abscess in the right lobe of the liver. There was no history of prior tuberculosis infection or known contact with tuberculosis patients, and the patient had no comorbid conditions. Microbiological analysis of aspirated pus confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was treated successfully with percutaneous drainage and systemic antitubercular therapy. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering tubercular liver abscess in the differential diagnosis of liver abscesses, even in patients without classic risk factors or concurrent tuberculosis elsewhere in the body. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for favourable outcomes, particularly in regions where tuberculosis is endemic.
 


Keywords : • Primary hepatic tuberculosis • Tubercular liver abscess • Immunocompetent host • Percutaneous abscess drainage • Antitubercular therapy
Corresponding Author : Debajanee Rout