Abstract
An encapsulated collection of suppurated material within the liver is termed a liver
abscess, which may be caused due to bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection. Liver
abscesses can be divided into infectious, iatrogenic, and malignant. Infection spreading
through the biliary tract is the most common cause now. Escherichia coli, the most common organism causing liver abscess two decades ago, is replaced by Klebsiella pneumonia, accounting for 50 to 70% of cases in the Asian subcontinent; however, liver abscesses
due to Entameba histolytica are also found quiet often in day to day clinical practice. Risk factors associated
with the development of liver abscess are increasing age, male sex, presence of underlying
diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, continuous use of proton pump inhibitors, and
immunocompromised state. Fever and abdominal pain are the typical clinical symptoms
of a liver abscess. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, malaise, and chills.
Tachycardia, right upper quadrant tenderness, and hepatomegaly are common examination
findings. USG of the abdomen is performed in all suspected cases of liver abscess
and has a sensitivity of 85%. Small abscesses, less than 3 to 4 cm, can be managed
with antibiotics. Percutaneous drainage can be done either by single-time needle aspiration
or catheter drainage.
Keywords
amoebic liver abscess - gastrointestinal infection - liver abscess - pyogenic liver
abscess - single time aspiration
