Sonographic detection of multiple Staphylococcus aureus hepatic microabscesses mimicking Candida abscesses

We report the sonographic, CT, and clinical findings in a patient presentin g with clinical sepsis and multiple Staphylococcus aureus hepatic microabsc esses. Although contrast-enhanced CT has had a higher sensitivity than sono graphy in detecting hepatic microabscesses in some studies, this examinatio n was negative in our patient. On sonography, numerous small hypoechoic les ions were present. Some target-like lesions had a striking similarity to Ca ndida albicans microabscesses. The hepatic lesions were believed to be pyog enic liver microabscesses, as several blood cultures were positive for S. a ureus. Following prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, all the hypoecho ic hepatic lesions disappeared, along with the clinical and biochemical sig ns of sepsis. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.