Preprint / Version 1

Massive subcapsular hepatic hematoma post-drainage of hepatic abscess: a case in favor of conservative management

Authors

  • Miriam Kapa Ticona Clínica Foianini

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62059/gfn66577

Keywords:

Hematoma, Liver abscess, Drainage, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Coagulopathy, Thromboelastography

Abstract

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in diabetic patients has high morbidity and mortality (case fatality rate 3-30%). We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient with decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus (HbA1c 10.1%) who developed a 60 cc PLA in segments V and VI, complicated by septic shock, diabetic ketoacidosis, and a massive subcapsular hepatic hematoma (30% of liver volume) following percutaneous drainage. Thromboelastography showed platelet dysfunction and dysfibrinogenemia, guiding conservative management with correction of coagulopathy. Blood cultures and drainage culture were positive for K. pneumoniae sensitive to amoxicillin/sulbactam. The patient recovered favorably after 6 days in the intensive care unit and was discharged from the hospital after 14 days. This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management, the use of thromboelastography for coagulopathy in sepsis, and that conservative management of hepatic subcapsular hematoma is effective in hemodynamically stabilized patients.

References

1. Pomakova G, Hsiao CB, Beanan J, et al. Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses: pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment obstacles. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024;14:1395932.

2. PMC. Severe Pyogenic Liver Abscess in a Diabetic Patient Complicated by Septic Shock and Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Available at.

3. Frontiers in Medicine. Case Report: Massive subcapsular hepatic hematoma after spontaneous rupture of pyogenic liver abscess in a healthy young woman. 2025;12:1713210.

4. Kaufman JA, Lee MJ. Complications of Percutaneous Fluid Drainage. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2010;27(3):233-240.

5. Siu LK, Yeh KM, Lin JC, et al. Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess: a new invasive syndrome. Lancet Infect Dis. 2012;12(11):881-887.

6. Wang J, et al. Diabetes and obesity and risk of pyogenic liver abscess. Sci Rep. 2023;13:7922.

7. Zhang Y, Zang GQ, Tang ZH, Yu YS. Gas embolism caused by gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2024;66:e78.

8. Chen AC, Lin Z, Pan Y. Risk factors for invasive Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome: a meta-analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026;16:1749555.

9. PMC. Grade III subcapsular liver hematoma secondary to HELLP syndrome: A case report of conservative management. Case Rep Womens Health. 2020;26:e00178.

10. Cureus. Liver Subcapsular Hematoma Conservative Treatment in HELLP Syndrome: A Case Report. 2025;17(3).

11. PMC. Correlation between sub-phenotypes of coagulopathy and prognosis in sepsis patients in ICU using longitudinal group trajectory modeling. BMC Anesthesiol. 2023;23(1):134.

12. Ejikeme C, et al. Hepatosplenic Abscess From Klebsiella pneumoniae in Poorly Controlled Diabetic. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2021;9:23247096211033046.

13. Enciu O, Toma E-A, Calu V, Pîrîianu DC, Poroșnicu AL, Miron A, et al. Klebsiella pneumoniae invasive liver abscess syndrome (Klas/ilas)-experience of a single center and up-to-date review of the literature. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025;15(12):1533.

14. O&G Open. Liver Hematoma in Pregnancy: Challenges, Management Strategies, and Maternal-Fetal Outcomes. 2025;3(4).

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Status: Under review in Revista Argentina de Medicina

RAM is a quarterly publication edited and financed by the Argentine Society of Medicine aimed at disseminating biomedical, epidemiological and social scientific topics related to the following branches of clinical medicine: bioethics, cardiology, critical care, palliative care, dermatology, pain, education, emergentology, endocrinology, epidemiology, pharmacology and…

Downloads

Posted

2026-09-03