title: [Comparison of clinical characteristics between cryptogenic and biliary pyogenic liver abscess].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of cryptogenic and biliary pyogenic liver abscess by comparing the clinical aspects between the two groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 119 patients treated for pyogenic liver abscess from 2000 to 2004, 82 subjects with cryptogenic liver abscess and 21 with biliary abscess were analysed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding clinical symptoms. The characteristics of abscess were similar except the size of abscess. The size of abscess less than 5 cm in diameter was more common in biliary group than in cryptogenic group (p=0.004). Compare to cryptogenic group, biliary group had more positive culture test from abscess (100% vs. 69%, p=0.006). Especially, E. coli isolated from abscess culture (28% vs. 7%, p=0.014) and blood culture (23% vs. 4%, p=0.035) were more common in biliary group than in cryptogenic group. There was no difference in mortality between the two groups (biliary vs. cryptogenic: 4.8% vs. 0%, p=0.204). However, the rate of clinical improvement was higher in cryptogenic group than in biliary group (92.7% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biliary liver abscess had similar clinical characteristics to cryptogenic origin. Biliary liver abscess had smaller abscess size and more positive abscess culture rates than cryptogenic abscess. Improvement rate without complication and recurrence was higher in cryptogenic group than biliary group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Gab Jin
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Cheon
authors.forename: Young Don
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Koon Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Kwang Seok
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byung Kyu
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Nah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D005260:Female; D006088:Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D046290:Liver Abscess, Pyogenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies