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Pyogenic liver abscess

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Liver abscess; Bacterial liver abscess

Treatment:

The treatment usually consists of surgical or percutaneous (through the skin, with a needle) drainage of the abscess . This is accompanied by prolonged antibiotic therapy. Sometimes antibiotics alone can cure the infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

The death rate is 10-30% in treated patients, and it is higher in those with multiple abscesses.

Complications:

Life-threatening sepsis can develop.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if any symptoms of this disorder develop.

Also call if severe abdominal pain , confusion or decreased consciousness , persistent high fever, or other new symptoms develop during or after treatment.

• Review Date: 7/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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