complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

Possible complications include:

  • toxic dilatation of the colon with perforation and peritonitis
  • stricture formation as a result of chronic infection
  • severe haemorrhage
  • development of an amoeboma (a mass of fibrotic granulation tissue). This occurs in about 10% of patients and usually occurs in the caecum or rectosigmoid colon. An amoeboma may cause intussusception or intestinal obstruction, and may be mistaken for a carcinoma.
  • abscess, most commonly, to the liver via the hepatic portal vein - hepatic amoebiasis
  • acute pericarditis - this may be a complication of an abscess on the left lobe of the liver