EJMCR |

Case Report

Volume: 3 | Issue: 3 | Published: Sep 26, 2019 | Pages: 108 - 111 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report

Authors: Larry Ngek Tangie , Ngock Dime Paul , Mickael Essouma , Mazou N Temgoua , Desmond Aroke

Authors

Larry Ngek Tangie

Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University of Yaounde, Cameroon

Ngock Dime Paul

Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University of Yaounde, Cameroon

Mickael Essouma

Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University of Yaounde, Cameroon

Mazou N Temgoua

Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University of Yaounde, Cameroon

Desmond Aroke

Fontem District Hospital, Fontem, Cameroon

Publication History

Received: April 05, 2019

Revised: June 22, 2019

Accepted: September 11, 2019

Published: September 26, 2019

Abstract

Background: Despite recent advances in management of acute liver failure (ALF), morbidity and mortality are still significantly high. Management strategies amongst others involve determination of etiology and greater than 50% of cases often require liver transplantation. Case presentation: A 36-year old Cameroonian male presented to our facility (a tertiary level health institution in Cameroon) with 10 days history of gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting) for which he auto-medicated with herbs and intravenous cefriaxone for 3 days. Two days prior to the presentation he developed yellowish discoloration of the eyes which prompted consultation. His evolution inpatient was marked by development of ALF Lack of necessary diagnostic tools and intensive care unit substandard care led to worsening of ALF. The patient died on day 6 of hospitalization. Conclusion: The case presented brings to lamp light the difficulties encountered in making an aetiologic diagnosis for ALF and the substandard care provided in patients with ALF in resource-limited settings. A lot still needs to be done to empower facilities in developing nations in care of ALF.

Keywords: acute liver failure, diagnosis, management, pitfalls, case report, green

Pubmed Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke. Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report. EJMCR. 2019; 26 (September 2019): 108-111. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

Web Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke. Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report. https://ejmcr.com/articles/1474 [Access: December 25, 2024]. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke. Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report. EJMCR. (2019), [cited December 25, 2024]; 26 (September 2019): 108-111. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

Harvard Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke (2019) Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report. EJMCR, 26 (September 2019): 108-111. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

Chicago Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke. "Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report." 26 (2019), 108-111. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke. "Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report." 26.September 2019 (2019), 108-111. Print. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Larry Ngek Tangie, Ngock Dime Paul, Mickael Essouma, Mazou N Temgoua, Desmond Aroke (2019) Diagnostic dilemma and management pitfalls of acute liver failure in resource limited Sub Saharan Africa: a case report. , 26 (September 2019), 108-111. doi:10.24911/ejmcr/173-1554413831