Characteristics and outcome of patients with liver abscess, a retrospective cohort.

Introduction and Objectives

Liver abscess (HA) is currently a rare entity, the prevalence is low, the epidemiological transition from amoebic to pyogenic in recent years may have modified its characteristics and outcome. Therefore, knowing its presentation, evolution, management and outcome is relevant. Describe the characteristics and outcome of patients with liver abscess

Materials and Patients

Retrospective and observational study of patients diagnosed with HA, epidemiological variables, presentation, treatment, drainage, and outcome were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were performed with measures of central tendency and dispersion

Results

Records of patients with HA were reviewed, in a period from 2018 to 2023. A total of 103 patients with HA were included, age 48.3 ± 15.7, 70% men and 30% women, 84.5% pyogenic and 14.5% amoebic with 0.9% of deaths. 25.2% of the patients were diabetic. 42.7% were single liver abscesses, the most frequent location was segment VII in 50.4%. Regarding antibiotic treatment, 80.4% were treated with metronidazole and ceftriaxone, followed by carbapenems in 14.5%. Of the total number of patients, 73.7% required percutaneous drainage, 60.1% underwent culture, of the identified agents E. Coli was the most frequent in 9.7%. Only one patient died due to septic shock.

Conclusions

The most frequent etiology of HA is now pyogenic, much higher than amebic, mortality is low, the outcome is healing without sequelae with the use of antimicrobials and percutaneous drainage.

Ethical statement

The protocol was registered and approved by the Ethics Committee. The identity of the patients is protected. Consentment was obtained.

Declaration of interests

None

Funding

None