Amoebic Liver Abscess in a Young Adult: A Case Report

Background: Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis. It often presents with nonspecific symptoms and can mimic other hepatic lesions, including malignancies. Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis, but confirmation relies on clinical and therapeutic response. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 37-year-old male with no known medical history, who presented with fever and right upper quadrant pain. Three weeks prior, he had experienced an episode of gastroenteritis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a poorly defined hypoechoic lesion, and contrast-enhanced CT showed a hypodense, lobulated hepatic mass with peripheral enhancement and central necrosis, raising suspicion for an amebic liver abscess (ALA) but not excluding malignancy. The patient was started on metronidazole, leading to rapid clinical and radiological improvement, confirming the diagnosis. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of differentiating ALA from hepatic tumors using imaging features and therapeutic response. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment with metronidazole are essential to prevent complications.