Pyogenic liver abscess (patient information)

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

Synonyms and keywords: Bacterial liver abscess

Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled area in the liver.^[1]

• There are many possible causes of pyogenic 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

• A number of common bacteria may cause liver abscesses. In most cases, more than one type of bacteria is found.

Symptoms of pyogenic liver abscess include:

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

The following increases your chances of developing pyogenic liver abscess:

• Immunodeficiency
• Diabetes mellitus
• Pancreatic or hepatobiliary disease
• Liver transplant

Call your health care provider if:

• Any symptoms of this disorder
• Severe abdominal pain
• Confusion or decreased consciousness
• High fever that doesn’t go away
• Other new symptoms during or after treatment

Physical examination of abdomen along with the following tests can help in finding out pyogenic liver abscess. Tests that may be done include:

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

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

Directions to Hospitals Treating Pyogenic liver abscess

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

Life-threatening sepsis can develop.

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