Liver abscess overview: Difference between revisions
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A liver [[abscess]] is a pus-filled mass inside or attached to the [[liver]]. Common causes are an abdominal infection such as [[appendicitis]] or [[diverticulitis]]. With treatment, the death rate is 10-30%.<ref name="MedlinePlus">{{cite web | url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000261.htm | title='MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pyogenic liver abscess'}}</ref>. Biliary tract disease is the most common cause but no cause identified in the majority of patients. There are nonspecific clinical findings hence a high degree of suspicion required for diagnosis. There are most often single, rather than multiple foci. Hyperbilirubinemia and elevated [[alkaline phosphatase]] in the majority of patients, but low specificity. [[E. coli]] is the most prevalent organism, followed by [[Klebsiella]], [[Streptococcus]], and [[Bacteroides]] species. Rare cause is bowel perforation following foreign body ingestion. Therapy for solitary liver abscess from causes other than bowel perforation is [[intravenous]] [[antibiotic]]s and percutaneous US- or CT-guided drainage. Therapy for liver abscess caused by bowel perforation or foreign body is open surgical drainage. Amebic liver abscess occurs in 94% of cases of [[amebiasis]]. Liver abscess is a relatively infrequent (1.7% according to Cho, D. et. al.), although possible, complication of [[percutaneous]] [[radiofrequency ablation]] of hepatic tumors. | A liver [[abscess]] is a pus-filled mass inside or attached to the [[liver]]. Common causes are an abdominal infection such as [[appendicitis]] or [[diverticulitis]]. With treatment, the death rate is 10-30%.<ref name="MedlinePlus">{{cite web | url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000261.htm | title='MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Pyogenic liver abscess'}}</ref>. Biliary tract disease is the most common cause but no cause identified in the majority of patients. There are nonspecific clinical findings hence a high degree of suspicion required for diagnosis. There are most often single, rather than multiple foci. Hyperbilirubinemia and elevated [[alkaline phosphatase]] in the majority of patients, but low specificity. [[E. coli]] is the most prevalent organism, followed by [[Klebsiella]], [[Streptococcus]], and [[Bacteroides]] species. Rare cause is bowel perforation following foreign body ingestion. Therapy for solitary liver abscess from causes other than bowel perforation is [[intravenous]] [[antibiotic]]s and percutaneous US- or CT-guided drainage. Therapy for liver abscess caused by bowel perforation or foreign body is open surgical drainage. Amebic liver abscess occurs in 94% of cases of [[amebiasis]]. Liver abscess is a relatively infrequent (1.7% according to Cho, D. et. al.), although possible, complication of [[percutaneous]] [[radiofrequency ablation]] of hepatic tumors. | ||
==Complications and Prognosis== | ==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | ||
Life-threatening [[sepsis]] can develop. This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses. | Life-threatening [[sepsis]] can develop. This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses. | ||
Revision as of 17:48, 11 December 2012
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Liver abscess Main Page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
A liver abscess is a pus-filled mass inside or attached to the liver. Common causes are an abdominal infection such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. With treatment, the death rate is 10-30%.[1]. Biliary tract disease is the most common cause but no cause identified in the majority of patients. There are nonspecific clinical findings hence a high degree of suspicion required for diagnosis. There are most often single, rather than multiple foci. Hyperbilirubinemia and elevated alkaline phosphatase in the majority of patients, but low specificity. E. coli is the most prevalent organism, followed by Klebsiella, Streptococcus, and Bacteroides species. Rare cause is bowel perforation following foreign body ingestion. Therapy for solitary liver abscess from causes other than bowel perforation is intravenous antibiotics and percutaneous US- or CT-guided drainage. Therapy for liver abscess caused by bowel perforation or foreign body is open surgical drainage. Amebic liver abscess occurs in 94% of cases of amebiasis. Liver abscess is a relatively infrequent (1.7% according to Cho, D. et. al.), although possible, complication of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Life-threatening sepsis can develop. This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses.
Diagnosis
Chest X Ray
Right pleural effusion, elevated right hemidiaphragm, and subsegmental atelectasis on chest radiography. Findings on abdominal radiography nonspecific in 87% of cases.
Ultrasound
USG and CT are critical imaging tools. USG may demonstrate a peripheral echo-free halo, distal acoustic enhancement, and progressive change over a short period of time.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Treatment usually consists of placing a tube through the skin to drain the abscess. Less often, surgery is required. Antibiotics are used for about 4 - 6 weeks. Sometimes, antibiotics alone can cure the infection. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillins, aminoglycosides, metronidazole and cephalosporins.
Surgery
Surgical options include percutaneous Drainage under USG or CT control and laparotomy in intra-abdominal disease.
Primary Prevention
Prompt treatment of abdominal and other infections may reduce the risk of developing a liver abscess. Many cases are not preventable.