What is the recent trend in the clinical study of liver abcess cases?

Abstract

Background: Liver abscesses commonly occur secondary to biliary or intestinal tract infections, haematogenous seeding or extension of contiguous infection, and carry a mortality rate of 20-60% even with appropriate medical-surgical management. The aims of the study were to study the current prevelence of etiological factors in cases of liver abscess, to study clinical presentations in cases of liver abscess and study outcomes of the current trend in investigations and outcomes of the modes of treatment in cases of liver abscess.Methods: 50 patients with the diagnosis of liver abscess belonging to various age groups and socio-economic status are included in the study. Written consent and a pre designed proforma was taken from all the patients and to collect relevant data form the patients included in the study.Results: In our study of 50 cases of liver abscess age ranges from 16 to 65, with majority of patients being in young age group (14-34 years). The median age for our study of liver abscess is 31. In our study, there were number of males 41 (82%) greater than females 9 (18%). In our study, right hypochondrium pain 12 cases (24%) was the most common presenting symptom among all liver abscess.Conclusions: Percutaneous aspiration along with medical management yields far better results. Ultrasonography is the most important recommended tool for the initial diagnostic investigation in liver abscess cases with percutaneous aspiration and pigtailing. Hence the prognosis of liver abscess has been improved with different advanced modalities in the management of liver abscess with less or no mortality except in patients with malignant disease.