A clinical study of liver abscess in patients attending the surgical department. A single center experience.

Abstract

Liver abscess is a condition that is seen by surgeons all over the world. The patients present to the surgical department with features of right hypocondrial pain, fever and jaundice. Investigations such as ultrasound of the abdomen and CT scan of the abdomen are extremely useful in diagnosing a case of liver abscess. The two main causes of liver abscess are amoebic and pyogenic liver abscess. Occasionally a liver abscess may also occur due to fungal infection. Treatment modalities include the use of drugs such as metronidazole for amoebic liver abscess, as well as needle aspiration and pigtail catheter drainage when required. This was a prospective study was carried out from August 2015 to July 2018, for a period of three years. The study was conducted at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. Investigations such as complete blood count (CBC), chest x-ray, x-ray abdomen, ultrasound of the abdomen and CECT of the abdomen were done. A total of 57 patients were studied and the results obtained were analysed.