Liver abscess (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]

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

• Chest pain (lower right)
• Clay-colored stools
• 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)

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 pneumoniae

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Streptococcus

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

Tests may include:

• Abdominal CT scan

• Abdominal ultrasound

• Bilirubin blood test

• Blood culture for bacteria

• Complete blood count (CBC)

• Liver biopsy

• Liver function tests

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

Treatment usually consists of placing a tube through the skin to drain the abscess. Less often, surgery is required. You will also receive antibiotics for about 4 – 6 weeks. Sometimes, antibiotics alone can cure the infection.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Liver abscess

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

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.

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000261.htm

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