A liver abscess means you have an area on your liver filled with a collection of pus. When a health condition produces pus, then it’s medically classified as pyogenic. Therefore, an abscess on liver is sometimes referred to as a pyogenic liver abscess. Having an abscess develop on your liver is relatively rare and can be extremely dangerous to your health.
Two frequent abscess on liver causes are amebic or bacterial infections. There are various avenues by which these infection causing pathogens can gain entry, specifically the bloodstream, portal vein and bile ducts. Once inside your liver, they can necrotize surrounding liver tissue, creating a cavity that fills with pus containing the infectious germ and leukocytes.
Amebic liver abscess is caused by the same organism that causes amebiasis. This intestinal parasite makes its way to your liver via the blood from your intestines. The most common bacteria causing a pyogenic liver abscess are:
- E. coli
- klebsiella
- bacteroides
- enterococcus
- streptococcus
- staphylococcus
Often, more than one type of bacteria is present.
Typically, a liver abscess is preceded by some sort of health condition that might lead to abscess development, such as:
- peritonitis
- gallstones
- septicemia
- pneumonia
- diverticulitis
- appendicitis
- cholecystitis
- colon cancer
- perforated bowel
- regional enteritis
- infective endocarditis
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- blunt force trauma causing liver damage
- biliary obstruction along with cholangitis
Initially, abscess on liver symptoms may be limited to fever, nausea and unintended weight loss. As your liver abscess grows, you may experience some of these additional symptoms:
- jaundice
- vomiting
- dark urine
- sweats & chills
- general weakness
- right shoulder pain
- right side chest pain
- abnormal looking stools
- abdominal pain, mostly upper right side
For some, symptoms may come on suddenly and be severe. While others, symptoms can be chronically gnawing.
Liver abscess complications involve a rupture that spreads the infection into adjacent peritoneal cavity, heart sac, lung lining, organs, bloodstream or even the brain.
Pyogenic liver abscess treatment depends on the type of pathogen causing your abscess. Bacteria will be treated with appropriate antibiotic. Amebic liver abscess with Metronidazole drug therapy. In some cases, the abscess may need to be drained. Liver abscess surgery is done when other treatment measures fail to do away with your abscess.
Because of the mortality risk, having pyogenic liver abscess treatment initiated right away is essential.