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Pyogenic liver abscess - Treatment

Alternative Names

Liver abscess; Bacterial liver abscess

Treatment:

Treatment usually consists of surgery or going through the skin with a needle or tube to drain the abscess. You will also receive antibiotics for about 4 - 6 weeks. Sometimes antibiotics alone can cure the infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

This condition can be life threatening some patients. The risk for death is higher in people who have many liver abscesses.

Complications:

Life-threatening sepsis can develop.

Calling your health care provider:

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

Digestive system

Pyogenic abscess

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 9/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Neuschwander-Tetri BA. Bacterial, parasitic, fungal and granulomatous liver diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 155.

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