Cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and amoebic liver abscess: use of CT scan to differentiate two mimicking presentation.

Aim: To use computed tomography (CT) scan in diff erentiating mimicking condition of amoebic liver abscess and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) conditions. Background: The clinical and imaging technique ultrasonography (USG) presentation of amoebic liver abscess may mimic that of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Amoebic liver abscess being common diseases in Pakistan can have variable presentations which can be differentiated from hepatocellular carcinoma by using computed tomography (CT) scan, as the abvove mentioned two condition mimic with each other, otherwise are difficult to be distinguish from one another. Material and Methods: Th is present study carried out in the department of Medicine Unit.I, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi,d carried out from 1st January 2014 till 31st January 2014. Results: A total of 79 patients with suspected liver abscess were studied, out of which 53 (67%) were found to have HCC and 26 (32.9%) were confirmed to have amoebic liver abscess while there was no case of pyogenic abscess. Conclusion: CT Scan has emerged an important and reliable tool in diff erentiating between amoebic liver abscess and HCC, two common conditions which may have similar clinical and ultrasonography (USG) presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]