Anyone can get a liver abscess. The condition can be caused by infections spread directly from nearby structures, such as the bile-draining tubes, from the appendix or intestines, or carried in the bloodstream from more distant parts of the body. A liver abscess can also develop as a result of surgery or other trauma to the liver.
The most common type of liver abscess is caused by bacterial or parasitic infection. Bacterial liver abscess is often called pyogenic liver abscess. Microscopic organisms called amebas, which cause the intestinal disorder amebic dysentery, can also cause amebic liver abscess.
When detected in time, liver abscess is usually treatable and often can be cured with a course of antibiotics or a combination of antibiotics and a surgical procedure to drain the abscess. Left untreated, however, a liver abscess can burst and spread the infection, leading to sepsis, a life-threatening bacterial blood infection.
Symptoms of Liver Abscess
Symptoms of liver abscess vary among individuals but most commonly include a combination of the symptoms listed below. In itself, a liver abscess is not life threatening, but it can become dangerous if it opens and spreads the infection. This can happen suddenly, so you should consult your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.
Common symptoms of a liver abscess
You may experience any combination of liver abscess symptoms. At times, any of these symptoms can be severe:
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Abdominal pain (especially in the upper right portion of the abdomen)
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Clay-colored stools
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Cough
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Dark urine
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Diarrhea
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Fever or chills
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Joint pain
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Loss of appetite
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Malaise or lethargy
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Nausea with or without vomiting
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Pleuritis chest pain (hurts to breathe)
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Sweating
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Unexplained weight loss
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Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
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Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions
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High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
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Jerky movements
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Malaise or lethargy
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Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
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Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or inability to breathe, labored breathing, wheezing, or choking
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Severe pain
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Vomiting
Causes of Liver Abscess
Anyone can get a liver abscess. The condition can be caused by infections in the blood, gastrointestinal system, or abdomen. It can also be caused by injury from a surgical procedure or other trauma to the liver.
Infectious causes of a liver abscess
Liver abscess may result from the following infectious causes:
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Bacterial infection in the bile-draining tubes
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Bacterial infections in the abdomen associated with appendicitis, diverticulitis, or perforated bowel
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Bloodstream infections
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Entamoeba histolytica infection (organism that also causes amebic dysentery; may be spread through water or through person-to-person contact)
Traumatic causes of a liver abscess
Liver abscess may result from surgical and diagnostic procedures in the liver, as well as accidental trauma including:
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Endoscopy of the bile-draining tubes
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Trauma to the liver
Risk
A number of factors increase the risk of developing liver abscess. Not all people with risk factors will get liver abscess.
Risk factors for pyogenic liver abscess include:
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Crohn’s disease
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Current, primary abdominal or gastrointestinal infection
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Diabetes
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Recent abdominal surgery
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Recent endoscopy of the bile-draining tubes
Risk factors for amebic liver abscess include:
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Advanced age
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Alcoholism or heavy alcohol ingestion
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Compromised immune system due to such conditions as HIV/AIDS or other immunodeficiencies, taking corticosteroids, organ transplant, or cancer and cancer treatment
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Poor nutritional status
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Travel to regions where amebic infections are common
Prevention
It is not always possible to avoid liver abscess. However, in many cases, you may be able to lower risk of liver abscess by:
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Avoiding contaminated food or water
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Limiting travel in regions where amebic infections are common