Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
Liver abscess; Bacterial liver abscessDefinition Return to top
Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled cavity within the liver.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
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 may be an infection in the blood, an infection of the biliary (liver secretion) 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.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The treatment usually consists of surgical or percutaneous (through the skin, with a needle) drainage of the abscess. This is accompanied by prolonged antibiotic therapy. Sometimes antibiotics alone can cure the infection.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The death rate is 10-30% in treated patients, and it is higher in those with multiple abscesses.Complications Return to top
Life-threatening sepsis can develop.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if any symptoms of this disorder develop.
Also call if severe abdominal pain, confusion or decreased consciousness, persistent high fever, or other new symptoms develop during or after treatment.
Prevention Return to top
Prompt treatment of abdominal and other infections may reduce the risk of developing a liver abscess. Many cases are not preventable. Update Date: 7/8/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |