Pyogenic liver abscess: Retrospective analysis of 80 cases over a 10-year period

Abstract

Background: A total of 80 patients with pyogenic liver abscess managed at a single institution over a 10-year period were studied. Methods: The clinical features, laboratory, imaging, and microbiologic findings, management strategy, and final outcome were studied. Results: Fever and chills, leucocytosis and elevated alkaline phosphatase were the most common clinical and laboratory findings. Forty-one percent of patients were diabetic and 61% had biliary pathology. Systemic antibiotics and image-guided aspiration had a success rate of 94%. By multiple logistic regression analysis, malignancy on presentation (P=0.011) was an independent risk factor associated with mortality. A past history of endoscopic sphincterotomy was an independent factor associated with resolution of liver abscess within 6 weeks (P=0.03). Conclusion: Pyrexia, leucocytosis, elevated alkaline phosphatase, presence of diabetes, and underlying biliary pathology are common clinical and laboratory findings in patients with pyogenic liver abscess. Malignancy was associated with a poor outcome. Previous endoscopic sphincterotomy was a good prognostic factor for early resolution. © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.