A challenging diagnosis: The overlap of hepatorenal polycystic disease and amebiasis

TL;DR

A man returning from Senegal had overlapping liver and kidney cysts and amebiasis, highlighting the diagnostic challenge and risks of corticosteroid use in such cases.

Contribution

Demonstrates the rare coexistence of hepatorenal polycystic disease and amebiasis in a traveler.

Findings

Genetic hepatorenal polycystosis and hepatic amoebiasis can co-exist.

Amoebic liver abscess must be considered in travelers with hepatorenal polycystosis.

Corticosteroids can worsen outcomes in patients with amoebiasis.

Abstract

A 71-year-old retired man returning from Senegal was found to have multiple hepatorenal cysts associated with a colonic mass on CT. Initially misdiagnosed, stool and abscess puncture analyses revealed intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. On the other hand, genetic testing suggested hepatorenal polycystic disease, demonstrating the coexistence of these two pathologies.

•Genetic hepatorenal polycystosis and hepatic amoebiasis can co-exist.•Amoebic liver abscess must be considered in travelers with hepatorenal polycystosis.•The use of corticosteroids can have devastating effects on patients with amoebiasis.•Before using corticosteroids, screen a traveller with colitis for amoebic dysentery.

Genetic hepatorenal polycystosis and hepatic amoebiasis can co-exist.

Amoebic liver abscess must be considered in travelers with hepatorenal polycystosis.

The use of corticosteroids can have devastating effects on patients with amoebiasis.

Before using corticosteroids, screen a traveller with colitis for amoebic dysentery.

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