Successful management of liver abscesses in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) using corticosteroids

Liver abscesses in CGD are generally refractory to antibiotics and drainage procedures. Hepatic resection after failing medical therapy has been the accepted treatment. Recent literature has demonstrated a beneficial effect of corticosteroids in CGD. We report successful management of multiple, difficult to drain liver abscesses in a 10 year old child with CGD, using corticosteroids. There are no formal guidelines for steroid use in CGD liver abscesses in children. There was no clinical or radiological recurrence of the abscesses after discontinuation of steroids.