A foreign body that has been swallowed may penetrate the bowel wall and reach the liver where it can cause a pyogenic abscess.
Foreign bodies associated with a pyogenic liver abscess:
(1) fish bone (most common cause)
(2) tooth pick
(3) pin or needle
(4) piece of straw
(5) piece of glass
Usually the site of penetration is the stomach or duodenum, but the penetration can involve the distal small bowel or colon.
The diagnosis is often unexpected and can be challenging if the patient does not recall swallowing the foreign body.
Complications:
(1) rupture of the hepatic abscess
(2) septicemia
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
