Liver Abscess

A liver abscess is a pus-filled mass in the liver that can develop from injury to the liver or from an intra-abdominal infection disseminated from the

portal vein

. An untreated hepatic abscess is nearly uniformly fatal as a result of complications that include

sepsis

,

empyema

, or

peritonitis

 from rupture into the pleural or peritoneal spaces, and

retroperitoneal

 extension.
A

pyogenic liver abscess

 can be fatal if it's not treated promptly.
Symptoms

Fever

  • Less than 38°C (100.4°F), Greater than or equal to 38°C (100.4°F)

  • With chills

common

Abdominal pain

  • Pain radiates to shoulder

  • Chronic or persistent pain

  • Gets more intense with motion

  • Steady

  • In the upper right region, Nonspecific, non-focal

or Sore abdomen

  • Upper right quadrant of abdomen

common

Fatigue

common

Feel like vomiting

or Throwing up

Weight loss

Yellow eyes or skin

Poor appetite

Diarrhea

Excessive sweating

  • Occurs or worsens at night

Cough with mucus or without mucus

or Chest discomfort

  • Occurs or worsens with deep inspiration

  • Center of the chest, Right side

or Difficulty breathing

Risk factors

Liver cirrhosis

Falling sick easily

Diabetes mellitus

Use of Proton-Pump Inhibitors

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.
Recommended specialist

If you have Liver Abscess, then visit a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.

Contact a

Gastroenterologist

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