| Liver abscess | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Liver abscess on axial CT image: a hypodense lesion in the liver with peripherally enhancement. | |
| Specialty | Gastroenterology  |
Aliver abscess is a mass filled with pus inside theliver.[1] Common causes are abdominal conditions such asappendicitis ordiverticulitis due to haematogenous spread through theportal vein.[2] It can also develop as a complication of aliver injury.
Risk factors for developing liver abscess can be due toinfection, post-procedural infection andmetastasis such as primaryliver tumours,liver metastasis, biliary procedures, biliary injuries, biliary tract disease,appendicitis, anddiverticulitis.[3]
Major bacterial causes of liver abscess include the following:[4]
However, as noted above, many cases are not polymicrobial.
There are several major forms of liver abscess, classified by cause:[3]
Draining of the abscess and antibiotics: IVmetronidazole and third generationcephalosporin/quinolones,β-lactam antibiotics, andaminoglycosides are effective.[3]
The prognosis has improved for liver abscesses. Themortality rate in-hospital is about 2.5-19%. Theelderly, ICU admissions,shock,cancer,fungal infections,cirrhosis,chronic kidney disease,acute respiratory failure, severe disease, or disease of biliary origin have a worseprognosis.[5]