Pyogenic liver abscess complicating biliary stricture due to chronic pancreatitis

Background: Chronic pancreatitis uncommonly causes common bile duct stricture, and common bile duct stricture rarely leads to pyogenic liver abscess. Methods: We describe a 51-year-old man who developed a pyogenic liver abscess after the development of a common bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis. Results: The patient required open drainage of the liver abscess and decompressive choledochoduodenostomy. His infection was persistent and he required percutaneous and subsequent open drainage of a second hepatic abscess. The patient died of refractory sepsis and multi-organ failure. Conclusions: The relevant English literature concerning pyogenic liver abscesses, specifically in the setting of common bile duct stricture due to chronic pancreatitis, is reviewed and discussed.