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He is one of the best gastroenterology doctors I have ever visited. Took my uncle for stomach pain, the doctor did endoscopy & colonoscopy, diagnosed the problem as large intestine cancer, the doctor asked a...
Uma V
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The doctor is extremely professional and polite. He explains the problem patiently and does not prescribe unnecessary medication. He gives priority to the patient's well-being over everything. I Will definitely recommend him
Chandrasekhar Sriramula
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I have referred/recommended a couple of my relatives and friends to this Dr (Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam). I say that the diagnosis and treatment are good and also Dr listens patiently in understanding the patient's...
Apoorva Reddy Panyala
Table Of Contents
- What is a Liver Abscess?
- What causes a Liver Abscess?
- What are the Symptoms of a Liver Abscess?
- How is a Liver Abscess Diagnosed?
- What are the Complications of a Liver Abscess?
- How can Liver Abscess be Treated?
What is a Liver Abscess?
A liver abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the liver due to a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection. The two most common types of liver abscess are amoebic (parasitic) and pyogenic (bacterial).
What Causes a Liver Abscess?
Liver abscess generally develops in immunocompromised hosts. There can be many reasons:
- Direct infection spread from nearby structures
- Infection Spread through the bloodstream
- As a result of trauma to the liver
- Bacterial infection
- Ingestion of amoebic cysts (parasite) through the faecal-oral route
What are the Symptoms of a Liver Abscess?
Characteristic symptom-Pain in the right side of the upper abdomen that radiates to the back and shoulder blades. Other symptoms:
- Clay colour stools
- Appetite loss
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Chest pain with breathing
- Dark urine
- Sweating
- Lethargy
- Cough
Sometimes, if left untreated for an extended period, there can be life-threatening symptoms:
- Sudden change in behaviour, hallucinations, confusion, delirium
- Jerky movements
- Continuous high fever
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting
How is a Liver Abscess Diagnosed?
Taking a good medical history is essential for the diagnosis of the liver abscess to rule out the possibility of other conditions. The investigative tests include:
- Ultrasound of the liver to detect a pus-filled cavity in the liver,
- Radiograph of the abdomen to detect the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity, the reason for the restriction of mobility of the diaphragm,
- MRI of the abdominal cavity to determine the physical characteristics of the abscess,
- Lab tests to look for inflammatory response, leukocytes, RBCs, Indicating enzymes of liver damage,
- Fine-needle biopsy is conducted after the presence of liver abscess is confirmed to determine the contents of cysts and the type of flora to assist in proper medication,
- In the most challenging cases, diagnostic laparoscopy is conducted.
What are the Complications of a Liver Abscess?
A liver abscess might become problematic if pus leaks into the abdominal or pleural cavities, the pericardial cavity, or other organs (intestines, stomach).
Complications occur from rupture and include:
- Sepsis
- Pus collection in the chest
- Inflammation of the lining of the heart
- Liver failure
- Fluid accumulation around the lungs
How can Liver Abscess be Treated?
The treatment combines both medications as well as surgical drainage
Pills consist of a range of antibiotics like metronidazole, Clindamycin if the infection
is pyogenic and antiparasitic drugs are prescribed if the condition is amoebic.
It all boils down to the type of flora present.
Surgical drainage is essential to drain the abscess. It is mainly done through laparoscopy or a minimally invasive technique.
