# When Gas Replaces the Liver: A Rare Case of Successfully Treated Emphysematous Hepatitis

**Authors:** Dirin Ukwade, Hasan S. Raza, Omar T. Ahmed, James S. Love, Maria El Gemayel, Jamie L. Berkes

PMC · DOI: 10.1155/crgm/5558002 · Case Reports in Gastrointestinal Medicine · 2025-11-11

## TL;DR

A rare case of emphysematous hepatitis was successfully treated with antibiotics and drainage, offering hope for better outcomes.

## Contribution

This is the second reported survival case using percutaneous drainage for emphysematous hepatitis.

## Key findings

- The patient had uncontrolled diabetes and was diagnosed with emphysematous hepatitis.
- Treatment with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage led to successful recovery.
- The case highlights the potential of minimally invasive treatment for this rare condition.

## Abstract

Emphysematous hepatitis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of gas within the hepatic parenchyma. Only a limited number of cases have been reported, with most patients experiencing poor outcomes and median survival time ranging from hours to days after diagnosis. We present a case of a patient with uncontrolled diabetes, abdominal pain, and fatigue who was found to have emphysematous hepatitis. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage without the need for surgical intervention. This case represents the second reported instance of survival following percutaneous drainage, highlighting the potential efficacy of this minimally invasive approach.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** diabetes (MONDO:0005015)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** uncontrolled diabetes (MESH:D003920), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746), fatigue (MESH:D005221), Emphysematous Hepatitis (MESH:D041882)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

20 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12626690/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12626690