Abstract
We analyzed a total of 51 cases of liver abscess experienced in our hospital during last 10 years for etiology and clinical course. As for the cases of bacterial abscess (n=43) , 34% of which were seen in patients after papilloplasty, patients were older and abscess' sizes were smaller than those in cases of amoebic abscess (n=6) . Leading cause was Klebsiella p.,showing a gradual increment over the 10 years. Amoebic abscess was seen only in male, and was associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea, more frequently than in bacterial abscess; even the complication of gastrointestinal perforation developed in two. Although detection of the protozoan was possible only in one case, serum levels of anti-amoeba antibody titers were elevated in all the 6 cases, suggesting its usefulness for diagnosis. Eumycetes-related abscess was diagnosed only in two cases in association with chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia. In both cases, the abscess was small, multiple, and required a long-term therapy. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and full knowledge about clinical characteristics are important to manage liver abscess. We hereby report our experiences.
