Liver abscesses

Question 1

Define Liver abscesses

Answer 1

Purulent collections in liver tissue due to infective causes (bacteria, parasitic, fungi)
often spend there via bile tree, hepatic vein, portal vein, or trauma

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors of liver abscesses

Answer 2

Spread to liver from-biliary tree, portal vein, hepatic vein, trauma, extension of infection close–mainly billiary tree
Often a polymicrobial cause-
3 main-E.coli, Klebstiella, and Strep
also Staph
Fungal only happens in immunocompromised hosts

Risk factors:
Age
Diabetes
Immunocompromised (HIV, cancer, transplant
Biliary tract disease
Surgery near liver

Question 3

Epidiemology of Liver abscesses

Answer 3

3.6 per 100000 in uk/us-uncommon
higher in developing
incidence increase with age

Question 4

Signs and Sx of liver abscesses

Answer 4

Fevers and chills
RUQ pain
Hepatomegaly

Weight loss, fatigue, abdo pain (diffuse)
nausea and vom

absence of pain does NOT EXCLUDE diagnosis

Question 5

investigations of Liver abscesses

Answer 5

FBC-WCC high, neutrons high, anaemia
CRP high
LFTs-high ALP (and raised others)
Blood cultures-
Liver USS-see the lesion-large collection of pus
CT-hyperdense spots in liver