Korean J Med.  2005 Jan;68(1):94-98.

Three Cases Of Gas-Forming Liver Abscesses Successfully Treated By Early Pigtail Catheter Drainage

• Lee HJ
• Myung HJ
• Son DS
• Song YK
• Hong GY
• Seo KS
• Lim YK

Abstract

Many advances, including the development of antibiotics, the advent of diagnostic techniques and the use of nonsurgical drainage have decreased the mortality rate of pyogenic liver abscess. But, early prompt diagnosis and proper treatment is mandatory in gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess because it may run a fulminating course to death. Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess mostly occurred to old diabetics. Symptoms of duration are shorter and the prognosis is poorer in the gas-forming than in the non-gas-forming liver abscess. We report three cases of gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess which occurred in old diabetic patients. They were successfully managed by parenteral antibiotics and early percutaneous drainage under sonographic guidance. Early and adequate drainage of pus by pigtail catheter may play a crucial role on the treatment of gas-forming liver abscess.

Keyword

Gas; Liver abscess; Catheter; Drainage; Diabetes mellitus

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Catheters*
Diabetes Mellitus
Diagnosis
Drainage*
Humans
Liver Abscess*
Liver Abscess, Pyogenic
Liver*
Mortality
Prognosis
Suppuration
Ultrasonography
Anti-Bacterial Agents