Hepatic abscess: Series of 107 cases and literature review

Liver abscess is a rare disease with high morbidity and mortality. Objective and Method: Description of liver abscess cases attended in the Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital between 2000 and 2007 and review of the literature on the topic. Results: For 107 cases reviewed, mean age was 59 years. Most common symptoms were fever and abdominal pain with an average duration of 19 days. Comorbidity: twenty five percent or patients had Diabetes Mellitus type 2, seven percent were immunosuppressed patients and 24% had undergone invasive procedures. Not achieved identify the origin in most cases. The most requested image test was abdominal CT. In 49/75 (65.3%) the abscess culture allowed to establish the etiology. Bacteremia was present in 17/68 (25%) of cases. Most cases were treated with two or more antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. Conclusion: Clinical manifestations and resolution of liver abscess in this series are consistent with those described in the literature.