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Pyogenic liver abscess

A pyogenic liver abscess is a type of liver abscess caused by bacteria. Pyogenic refers to the formation of pus that characterizes these liver abscesses.

Signs and symptoms

Acute abscess

Chronic abscess

  • Fever
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Enlarged liver

Cause

  • Biliary disease (most common)

E.g.: stones, cholangiocarcinoma

  • Colonic disease

E.g.: diverticulitis, appendicitis, Crohn's disease

E.g.: penetrating injury, iatrogenic (radiofrequency ablation)

Common bacterial causes

Diagnosis

To differentiate pyogenic liver abscess from amoebic liver abscess, several features such as subjects with age more than 50 years with lungs involvement, multiple liver abscesses, with amoebic serologic titres less than 1:256 can help to pin down the diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess.

Treatment

  1. Antibiotics
  2. * Penicillins
  3. * Aminoglycosides
  4. * Metronidazole
  5. * Cephalosporins
  6. Percutaneous drainage under USG or CT control
  7. Laparotomy in intra-abdominal disease

References

External links