Liver Abscess - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Liver Abscess Definition

Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled cavity within the liver. Pyogenic hepatic abscesses are uncommon conditions that present both diagnostic challenges and therapeutic challenges to physicians, and, if left untreated, they are invariably fatal. The male-to-female ratio is approximately 2:1 in recent studies, and the problem occurs most commonly in the fourth to sixth decade of life.

Solitary within the liver as a result of infection by bacteria, protozoa, or other agents. Liver abscess occurs usually in those over age 50. Death occurs in 15% of affected patients despite treatment. Liver abscess is also called as Bacterial liver abscess.

Liver Abscess Causes

Amebic liver abscess is caused by Entamoeba histolytica, the same organism that causes amebiasis, an intestinal infection. The organism is carried through the blood to the liver. There are many potential causes of liver abscesses. They can be caused by an abdominal infection such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a perforated bowel. Other causes of liver abscess may be an infection in the blood, an infection of the biliary tract, or trauma that damages the liver.

The most common bacteria that cause liver abscesses are Escherichia coli, klebsiella, enterococcus, staph and strep, and bacteroides. The infection occurs worldwide, but is most common in tropical areas where crowded living conditions and poor sanitation exist. Africa and Southeast Asia. Elsewhere, amoebic abscesses are more common, and, worldwide, amoebae are the commonest cause.

Liver Abscess Symptoms

The onset of symptoms of a pyogenic abscess is usually sudden; in an amebic ahscess, the onset is more insidious.

The symptoms of the liver abscess may be included:

• Fever
• Chills
• Malaise
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Jaundice
• Vomiting
• Dark urine
• Weakness
• Uneasiness
• Weight loss
• Joint pain
• Weight loss
• Turning yellow
• Loss of appetite
• General discomfort
• Chalk-colored stool
• Pain in right upper abdomen

Liver Abscess Treatments

Sometimes antibiotics alone can cure the infection.

Medication such as paromomycin must also be taken to eliminate intestinal amebiasis to prevent recurrence of the disease.

The treatment usually consists of surgical or percutaneous drainage of the abscess. This is accompanied by prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Antimicrobial therapy with 750 mg of metronidazole taken 3 times a day for 10 days is the usual treatment for liver abscess.