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Open Drainage Of Liver Abscess

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Open Drainage Of Liver Abscess

Overview

A liver abscess is a collection (pocket) or accumulation of pus within a confined area in your liver by bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Pus is a fluid consisting of WBCs (white blood cells) and dead cells formed when your body fights off infection. Instead of draining from the infection site, it accumulates in a pocket inside your liver, causing extreme pain. 

Read on to know more about the liver abscess, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment , also highlighting the complications that can arise if the abscess is left untreated.

What is a Liver Abscess?

A pocket of pus formed within the liver is known as a liver abscess which commonly occurs when the pus fails to drain from the infection site and instead gets accumulated in a confined area, causing pain and discomfort. A liver abscess is usually accompanied by inflammation and swelling in the surrounding area. A liver abscess may occur either due to any infection or trauma during any surgery or accident, or procedure.

What Are The Causes of Liver Abscess?

There are many possible causes of a liver abscess that include:

Infection in the abdomen 

  • Abdominal infections like appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) and perforated bowel are the main causes of improper drainage of the pus that could accumulate within the liver, forming an abscess.

Infections of the blood

  • Some bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause septicemia.
  • This is a life-threatening condition when chemicals that are released to fight an infection enter the bloodstream.

Injury caused during any surgery or injury

  • Trauma or accident that damages the liver.
  • Recent injury during bile drainage which is an insertion of a tube into the blocked bile duct.
  • Endoscopy of the bile draining tubes 

What Are The Common Symptoms of Liver Abscess?

You may be able to figure out if you are suffering from a liver abscess, by identifying the following signs and symptoms:

  • Mild liver abscess present with fever, chills, and night sweats
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mild chest pain due to compression of the chest 
  • Classic pain may be experienced in your upper right abdominal area 
  • Urine appears to be dark in color
  • You may also experience sudden weight loss 
  • Extreme weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
  • Pain in the right-hand or shoulder (referred pain from the site of the abscess)
  • Jaundice which causes the yellowing of your skin, nails, and white part of your eyes due to the build-up of bilirubin (a yellow substance due to the breaking down of old RBCs) in the body.

How is Liver Abscess Diagnosed?

Apart from the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, there are a few diagnostic tests that help confirm the presence of a liver abscess that include:

Complete blood count

  • This test helps to determine the accurate count of the WBCs (white blood cells), RBCs (red blood cells), and platelets.

Blood culture test for bacteria

  • This identifies the type of bacteria causing the infection and helps to plan the antibiotic course needed for treating a liver abscess.

Abdominal ultrasound scan

  • Helps to study any pathology of the abdomen area and the liver.

Liver biopsy

  • A small piece of the liver tissue is removed and studied by a pathologist under a microscope to check for any pathological changes.

Other tests 

  • Abdominal CT (Computed Tomography) scan
  • Liver function tests (LFTs)

How is Liver Abscess Treated?

Treatment for liver abscess depends on the severity of the condition and the quantity of the pus, that includes via:

Medications

  • Antibiotics help treat bacterial infections, while antifungal drugs treat fungal infections.

Needle aspiration

  • A fine needle is inserted near the abscess with the help of ultrasound-guided images, to drain the excess pus collected.

Catheter drainage

  • A small incision is made near the abscess and a catheter (a small, thin tube) is inserted through it. 
  • The excess pus and fluid from the abscess is drained through the inserted catheter.
  • You may or may not need a stitch to close the wound.

Surgery 

  • Surgery is recommended if your doctor is unable to treat the abscess through medications, or if the abscess aggravates.

Laparoscopic or Percutaneous Drainage 

  • This is a minimally invasive image-guided drainage of the pus that helps shrink the liver abscess.
  • Keyhole-sized incisions (cuts) are made near the abscess with the help of CT or ultrasound guidance.
  • A laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light source at the end of the tube) is inserted through one incision, and a surgical catheter is through other incisions.
  • The catheter drains the excess pus and shrinks the abscess, and later the incisions are closed with stitches (sutures).

Complications of Liver Abscess

If your liver abscess is left untreated, it can rupture and lead to the following complications:

Sepsis 

  • It is a severe complication that causes systemic (in the bloodstream) inflammation, leading to a drastic dip in blood pressure. 

Metastasis (spread to other organs).

  • There may be an increase of infection spread to other organs if left untreated
  • Brain abscesses can cause severe neurological damage, with a decline in brain function.
  • Septic pulmonary embolism occurs when the bacteria cause a blood clot in the lungs and pleural effusion (fluid accumulation in the lungs).
  • Endophthalmitis may occur in the inner part of your eye,  an infection leading to permanent vision loss.
  • Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart’s inner lining and valves.
  • Peritonitis (inflammation of the tissues that line the abdomen)

How to Prevent Liver Abscess?

A liver abscess can be effectively prevented by following certain preventive measures that include:

  • A healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean meat, and fish.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption since it can damage your liver and increase your risk of developing a liver abscess.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial, and fungal infections affecting your abdominal area help reduce your risks of developing a liver abscess.
  • Maintaining proper personal hygiene to prevent the entry of bacteria or fungi that may lead to infections and subsequent abscess formations.
  • Vaccinating yourself accordingly include influenza and pneumonia vaccine.

Why Choose Medfin?

Surgery can be a daunting aspect, and feeling anxious is absolutely normal. The massive amount of information you can get from the internet may confuse you even more. This is where Medfin can help. Leave us the hefty task of finding the best hospital, the finest doctor, and the latest procedure at the lowest cost. Let us take charge while you sit back and focus on your health and recovery. Think surgery! Think Medfin! 

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“ After my consultation with the doctor, MEDFIN representative got me a fixed package cost that included my mothers initial tests, surgery cost. They also gave me stockings free for Rs. 3000 post the surgery. They kept up their promise they made”

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