Liver abscess (patient information): Difference between revisions
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*Chest pain (lower right) | *Chest pain (lower right) | ||
*Clay-colored stools | *Clay-colored stools | ||
*Dark urine | *[[Dark urine]] | ||
*[[Fever]], chills | *[[Fever]], chills | ||
*Loss of [[appetite]] | *Loss of [[appetite]] | ||
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*Pain in right upper abdomen (more common) or throughout the [[abdomen]] (less common) | *Pain in right upper abdomen (more common) or throughout the [[abdomen]] (less common) | ||
*Unintentional [[weight loss]] | *Unintentional [[weight loss]] | ||
*Weakness | *[[Weakness]] | ||
*Yellow skin (jaundice) | *[[Yellow skin]] ([[jaundice]]) | ||
==What causes Liver abscess?== | ==What causes Liver abscess?== | ||
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Tests may include: | Tests may include: | ||
*Abdominal CT scan | *Abdominal [[CT scan]] | ||
*Abdominal [[ultrasound]] | *Abdominal [[ultrasound]] | ||
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*Liver [[biopsy]] | *Liver [[biopsy]] | ||
*Liver function tests | *[[Liver function tests]] | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
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*[[Confusion]] or decreased consciousness | *[[Confusion]] or decreased consciousness | ||
*Persistent high fever | *Persistent high [[fever]] | ||
*Other new symptoms during or after treatment | *Other new symptoms during or after treatment | ||
Revision as of 14:02, 11 December 2012
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Liver abscess |
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Liver abscess On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Shankar Kumar, M.B.B.S. [2]]
Overview
Pyogenic liver abscess is a pus-filled area in the liver.
What are the symptoms of Liver abscess?
- Chest pain (lower right)
- Clay-colored stools
- Dark urine
- Fever, chills
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting
- Pain in right upper abdomen (more common) or throughout the abdomen (less common)
- Unintentional weight loss
- Weakness
- Yellow skin (jaundice)
What causes Liver abscess?
There are many potential causes of liver abscesses, including:
- Abdominal infection such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, or a perforated bowel
- Infection in the blood
- Infection of the bile draining tubes
- Recent endoscopy of the bile draining tubes
- Trauma that damages the liver
The most common bacteria that cause liver abscesses are:
In most cases, more than one type of bacteria is found.
Diagnosis
Tests may include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Bilirubin blood test
- Blood culture for bacteria
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Liver biopsy
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have:
- Any symptoms of this disorder
- Severe abdominal pain
- Confusion or decreased consciousness
- Persistent high fever
- Other new symptoms during or after treatment
Treatment options
Treatment usually consists of placing a tube through the skin to drain the abscess. Less often, surgery is required. You will also receive antibiotics for about 4 - 6 weeks. Sometimes, antibiotics alone can cure the infection.
Where to find medical care for Liver abscess?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Liver abscess
Prevention
Prompt treatment of abdominal and other infections may reduce the risk of developing a liver abscess. Many cases are not preventable.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses.
Possible complications
Life-threatening sepsis can develop.