Pyogenic liver abscess

Alternative Names: Liver abscess; Bacterial liver abscess

Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled area in the liver.

Causes of Pyogenic liver abscess

There are many potential causes of liver abscesses, including:

• Abdominal infection such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a perforated bowel
• Infection in the blood
• Infection of the bile draining tubes
• Recent endoscopy of the bile draining tubes
• Trauma that damages the liver

The most common bacteria that cause liver abscesses are:

• Bacteroides
• Enterococcus
• Escherichia coli
• Klebsiella
• Staphylococcus
• Streptococcus

In most cases, more than one type of bacteria is found.

Pyogenic liver abscess Symptoms

• Clay-colored stool
• Dark urine
• Fever, chills
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain in right upper abdomen (more common) or throughout the abdomen (less common)
• Unintentional weight loss
• Weakness
• Yellow skin (jaundice)

Tests and Exams

Tests may include:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Bilirubin blood test
• Blood culture for bacteria
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Liver biopsy
• Liver function tests
• White blood cell count

Treatment of Pyogenic liver abscess

Treatment usually consists of surgery or going through the skin with a needle or tube to drain the abscess. You will also receive antibiotics for about 4 - 6 weeks. Sometimes antibiotics alone can cure the infection.

Prognosis (Outlook)

This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses.

Potential Complications

Life-threatening sepsis can develop.

When to Contact a Health Professional

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Any symptoms of this disorder
• Severe abdominal pain
• Confusion or decreased consciousness
• Persistent high fever
• Other new symptoms during or after treatment

Prevention of Pyogenic liver abscess

Prompt treatment of abdominal and other infections may reduce the risk of developing a liver abscess. Many cases are not preventable.

Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Bacterial, parasitic, fungal and granulomatous liver diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 155.

Digestive system	Pyogenic abscess	Digestive system organs

Review Date: 9/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

_{Do not use this information for medical emergencies - Call 911. This information should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should always be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other websites do not constitute endorsements and are provided for information only. Any duplication or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited.
Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.}