Hepatic abscess

Background

Pus filled area in the liver. Usually develops following peritonitis due to leakage of intraabdominal bowel contents that subsequently spread to liver via the portal circulation or via direct spread from biliary infection. It may also result from arterial hematogenous seeding in the setting of sepsis or from direct trauma to the liver or instrumentation.

Clinical Features

--Lower right chest pain or RUQ abdominal pain

--fever, chills

--nausea, vomiting, anorexia

--clay-colored stool

--dark urine

--jaundice

Workup

--CBC, CMP, LFTs, bilirubin, blood culture

--abdominal ultrasound

--abdominal CT with IV contrast

Sources

UpToDate MedlinePlus