PYOGENIC HEPATIC-ABSCESS

Pyogenic hepatic abscess is a rare condition associated with severe se quelae. The diagnosis may be obvious in patients with fever and leukoc ytosis who are clearly predisposed to this infectious complication. In patients without known risk factors, diagnosis and treatment are ofte n delayed, usually until numerous health care resources have been cons ulted. The evaluation of occult hepatic abscess may be improved by a h istory directed at identifying predisposing conditions, by an appropri ate physical examination and by the use of computed tomographic scanni ng. The standard treatment for pyogenic hepatic abscess is percutaneou s or open drainage, accompanied by broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy.