title: Pyogenic liver abscess.
abstract: Experience with 34 patients with pyogenic liver abscess is reviewed to evaluate the impact of percutaneous drainage and duration of antibiotic therapy on results of treatment. Patients with shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, jaundice, severe hypoalbuminemia, and diabetes had a poor prognosis. Percutaneous drainage was used successfully in 4 of 6 patients, but its use did not affect mortality rate or length of hospital stay. Percutaneous drainage may be the procedure of choice for selected patients. Half of our patients received antibiotics for 2 weeks or less with no abscess recurrences in this group. Long-term antibiotics may not be necessary after adequate surgical or percutaneous abscess drainage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Robison
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Doberneck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents