Pyogenic liver abscess
Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled pocket of fluid within the liver. Pyogenic means with pus.
Causes
There are many possible causes of pyogenic liver abscesses, including:
- Abdominal infection, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a perforated bowel
Diverticulitis
Diverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticlePerforated bowel
A perforation is a hole that develops through the wall of a body organ. This problem may occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large int...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection in the blood
- Infection of the tubes draining bile (bile ducts)
- Recent endoscopy of the bile draining tubes
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Trauma that damages the liver
A number of common bacteria may cause liver abscesses. In most cases, more than one type of bacteria are found.
Symptoms
Symptoms of liver abscess may include:
- Pain in the right upper abdomen (more common) or throughout the abdomen (less common)
- Clay-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Fever, chills, night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting
Nausea, vomiting
Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...
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Unintentional weight loss
Unexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...
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- Yellow skin (jaundice)
- Right shoulder pain (referred pain)
- Chest pain (lower right)
Exams and Tests
Tests may include:
- Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging test that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomography....
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Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Blood culture for bacteria
- Complete blood count (CBC)
Complete blood count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Liver biopsy
- Aspiration of abscess
- Liver function tests
Treatment
Treatment usually consists of placing a tube through the skin into the liver 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.
Outlook (Prognosis)
This condition can be life threatening. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses.
Possible Complications
Life-threatening sepsis can develop. Sepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you have:
- Any symptoms of this disorder
- Severe abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Confusion or decreased consciousness
Confusion
Confusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - High fever that doesn't go away
- Other new symptoms during or after treatment
Prevention
Prompt treatment of abdominal and other infections may reduce the risk of developing a liver abscess, but most cases are not preventable.
Reviewed By
Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Kim AY, Chung RT. Bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections of the liver, including liver abscesses. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 84.
Sifri CD, Madoff LC. Infections of the liver and biliary system (liver abscess, cholangitis, cholecystitis). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 75.
