Podcast 638: Pyogenic Liver Abscess

<p><strong>Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD</strong></p> <p><strong>Educational Pearls:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Pyogenic liver abscesses can be caused by</span></li> <li style="list-style: none; display: inline"> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Intra-abdominal infection progressing to peritonitis which then drains into liver</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Bacteremia leading to hematogenous spead and seeding</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Local biliary infection with contiguous spread</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Patients typically present with signs of sepsis or septic shock and the abscess can be diagnosed using ultrasound or CT</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Treat with IV fluids, broad spectrum antibiotics, and consultation for drainage</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kurland JE, Brann OS. Pyogenic and amebic liver abscesses. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2004 Aug;6(4):273-9. doi: 10.1007/s11894-004-0078-2. PMID: 15245694.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rahimian J, Wilson T, Oram V, Holzman RS. Pyogenic liver abscess: recent trends in etiology and mortality. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Dec 1;39(11):1654-9. doi: 10.1086/425616. Epub 2004 Nov 9. PMID: 15578367.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Summarized by John Spartz, MS3 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD</span></em></p> <p> </p> <p><br /> <br /></p>