Resection of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus liver abscess in a patient with Crohn’s disease under infliximab treatment: a case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: A liver abscess in Crohn's disease is a rare but important entity that is associated with a poor prognosis and high mortality when treatment is delayed. We report a case of successful liver segmentectomy for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus liver abscess in a patient with Crohn's disease under infliximab treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old Japanese man, who had been treated with infliximab infusions for Crohn's disease, was referred to our hospital presenting with an abrupt onset of high fever and an elevated white blood cell count and serum C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography revealed a liver abscess occupying segment 8. The limited effect of percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage and antibiotics led us to perform radical resection of the abscess. The patient recovered quickly after surgery and the postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: The present case suggests that surgical removal of an abscess should be considered for patients under immunosuppression or refractory to conventional treatment.