Liver abscess: a clinicopathological analysis of 82 cases.

Abstract

Liver abscesses are a common pathology in India, but a strategy for effective treatment has not been established. Eighty-two patients with liver abscess were studied over a 4-year period. Clinical features, ultrasound findings, laboratory studies, and outcome of therapy were evaluated. Treatment options were antibiotics alone, needle aspiration, catheter drainage, or open surgical drainage; 51.2% of all abscesses were amebic, 23.2% were pyogenic, and 25.6% had unknown causes. A total of 75.6% of the abscesses were solitary, with 62.2% confined to the right lobe. Pyogenic abscesses were more likely to have anemia, leukocytosis, and deranged liver function. Amebic abscesses tended to have a larger volume. Patients undergoing catheter drainage showed a more rapid reduction in initial abscess volume, whereas resolution of the abscess cavity took longer with antibiotic therapy alone. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage are safe and effective in the management of liver abscess. Drug therapy alone may be useful only in select cases.

• Authors: Shalabh Mohan, Nikhil Talwar, Abhideep Chaudhary, Manoj Andley, Bina Ravi, Ajay Kumar
• Journal: International surgery (Int Surg) 2006 Jul-Aug Vol. 91 Issue 4 Pg. 228-33 ISSN: 0020-8868 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 16967685 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Amebicides
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Immunoglobulin G

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Amebicides (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Biopsy, Needle
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Drainage
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (blood)
• Liver Abscess, Amebic (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Ultrasonography