Predictors of mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess

Antibiotic treatment durations for pyogenic liver abscesses: A systematic review

Background

We sought to systematically review the existing research on pyogenic liver abscesses to determine what data exist on antibiotic treatment durations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of contemporary medical literature from 2000 to 2020, searching for studies of pyogenic liver abscesses. The primary outcome of interest was mean antibiotic treatment duration, which we pooled by random-effects meta-analysis. Meta-regression was performed to examine characteristics influencing antibiotic durations.

Results

Sixteen studies (of 3,933 patients) provided sufficient data on antibiotic durations for pooling in meta-analysis. Mean antibiotic durations were highly variable across studies, from 8.4 (SD 5.3) to 68.9 (SD 30.3) days. The pooled mean treatment duration was 32.7 days (95% CI 24.9 to 40.6), but heterogeneity was very high (I2 = 100%). In meta-regression, there was a non-significant trend towards decreased mean antibiotic treatment durations over later study years (-1.14 days/study year [95% CI -2.74 to 0.45], p = 0.16). Mean treatment duration was not associated with mean age of participants, percentage of infections caused by Klebsiella spp, percentage of patients with abscesses over 5 cm in diameter, percentage of patients with multiple abscesses, and percentage of patients receiving medical management. No randomized trials have compared treatment durations for pyogenic liver abscess, and no observational studies have reported outcomes according to treatment duration.

Conclusions

Among studies reporting on antibiotic durations for pyogenic liver abscess, treatment practices are highly variable. This variability does not seem to be explained by differences in patient, pathogen, abscess, or management characteristics. Future RCTs are needed to guide optimal treatment duration for patients with this complex infection.

A Population-Based Study of Unfavorable Prognostic Factors Associated With Pyogenic Liver Abscess

Background

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare entity that is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. Our objective was to investigate variables associated with mortality and subsequent PLA in patients diagnosed with PLA in southern Sweden.

Methods

We conducted a population-based observational study comprising all episodes of PLA that occurred between 2011 and 2020 in the county of Skåne, southern Sweden. The primary outcome was defined as all-cause 90-day mortality and the secondary outcome was defined as the occurrence of a subsequent PLA.

Results

A total of 452 episodes of PLA occurred in 360 patients during the study period. The 90-day mortality rate was 16% (n = 58) and the subsequent PLA rate was 20% (n = 92). In a multivariable logistic regression model, female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.1-3.9]), malignancy (OR, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.9-7.1]), liver failure (OR, 6.3 [95% CI, 2.7-14.5]), and polymicrobial findings (OR, 3.8 [95% CI, 2.2-6.9]) were associated with death within 90 days (P < .05). Male sex (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.2-3.6]), malignancy (OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.3-3.6]), age (64-74 years: OR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.3-4.8]), and chronic liver disease (OR, 3.0 [95% CI, 1.4-6.5]) were associated with the risk of subsequent PLA (P ≤ .01).

Conclusions

Identifying different clinical variables associated with an unfavorable outcome may improve the management and treatment of patients with PLA and thus prevent the risk of death and subsequent PLA.

The influence of early adoption of nonenhanced computed tomography on management of patients with pyogenic liver abscess

Background and Aim

A pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an infectious disease with high in-hospital mortality. It has no specific symptoms and is difficult to be diagnosed early in the emergency department. Ultrasound is commonly used to detect PLA lesions of PLA, but its sensitivity can be affected by lesion size, location, and clinician experience. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment (especially abscess drainage) are crucial for better patient outcomes and should be prioritized by clinical physicians.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study to compare the effect of early and late (i.e., receiving CT scanning within 48 h and >48 h after admission) adoption of nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning regarding the hospitalization days and interval between admission and drainage of patients with PLA.

Results

This study included 76 hospitalized patients with PLA in the Department of Digestive Disease of Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital in China who underwent CT examinations from 2014 to 2021. We conducted CT scans on 56 patients within 48 h of admission and on 20 patients more than 48 h after admission. The early CT group had a significantly shorter hospitalization length compared with the late CT group (15.0 days vs. 20.5 days; P = 0.035). Besides, the median time to initiate drainage after admission was also significantly shorter in the early CT group than in the late CT group (1.0 days vs. 4.5 days; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Early CT scanning within 48 h of admission may aid in early PLA diagnosis and benefit disease recovery, as revealed by our findings.

A complex presentation of an uncommon disease: Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess complicated by septic pulmonary emboli and muscle abscesses, a case report and review of the literature

Background

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is the most common type of visceral abscess. Its variable clinical presentation depends on patient demography, underlying conditions, causative pathogens as well as the size of the abscess. Most cases are secondary to enteric pathogens that cause focal liver disease. Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is a rare subgroup of PLA characterized by the presence of gas within the abscess. The disease is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) while Klebsiella penumoniae is the most frequently isolated pathogen. Despite appropriate evaluation and management, secondary complications are common with significant morbidity and mortality that necessitate prompt recognition and management.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 46-year-old gentleman from Bangladesh who presented to the emergency department with fever, chills, and right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort. Evaluation revealed elevated inflammatory markers with high blood glucose and a subdiaphragmatic lucency on a plain chest radiograph. The suspected underlying visceral infection was confirmed by abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography which demonstrated an emphysematous abscess of 8 cm in diameter in the right liver lobe.Because of clinical instability, the patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) where he received appropriate supportive management with antimicrobials and percutaneous drainage of the abscess. Cultures collected from blood, the abscess, and urine grew a sensitive strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. During his stay in the MICU, he complained of dyspnea. A CT pulmonary angiography was suggestive of septic emboli. A few days later, the patient started to complain of left gluteal pain and an US revealed a deep left gluteal abscess which required drainage. Cultures of the pus grew the same sensitive strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. After receiving 6 weeks of parenteral antimicrobial therapy a repeated US revealed complete resolution of the abscess in the liver. Outpatient follow up showed favorable recovery.

Conclusion

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is a rare manifestation of pyogenic liver abscess that usually occurs in patients with poorly controlled DM. Despite appropriate evaluation, morbidity remains high therefore timely recognition and anticipation of complications is important.

Platelet-to-White Blood Cell Ratio: A Feasible Biomarker for Pyogenic Liver Abscess

The platelet-to-white blood cell ratio (PWR) has been reported to predict the severity of patients with various diseases. However, no previous studies have assessed the use of the PWR as a prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). This observational retrospective study was performed between January 2008 and December 2017, including 833 patients with PLA from multiple centers. The enrolled patients, on average, had a PWR of 17.05, and 416 patients had a PWR lower than 17.05. A total of 260 patients (31.2%) with PLA showed complications of metastatic infection, pleural effusion and abscess rupture. A low PWR level was identified as a strong risk factor for metastatic infection and pleural effusion. The low PWR group also had a longer hospital stay. In the multivariate analysis, old age, anemia, albumin and CRP levels and unidentified pathogens were significant factors for low PWR levels. A low PWR, old age, male sex, abscess size, albumin, ALP and unidentified causative pathogens showed significant associations with a hospital stay longer than 28 days. As a result, PLA patients presenting with a low PWR were shown to have more complications and a poor prognosis. Considering its cost-effectiveness, PWR could be a novel biomarker used to predict a prognosis of PLA.

Aging is Associated with Prolonged Hospitalisation Stay in Pyogenic Liver Abscess-A 1:1 Propensity Score Matched Study in Elderly Versus Non-Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND

Mortality of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is high ranging 10%-40%. Old age predicts outcomes in many diseases but there is paucity of data on PLA outcomes. We aim to compare the morbidity and mortality between elderly and non-elderly in PLA.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study from 2007-2011 comparing elderly (≥ 65 years old) and non-elderly (< 65 years old) with PLA. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Baseline clinical profile and outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

There were 213 patients (elderly patients = 90 [42.3%], non-elderly patients = 123 [57.7%]). Overall median age is 62 (interquartile range [IQR] = 53-74) years old. PSM resulted in 102 patients (51 per arm). Length of hospitalisation stay (LOS) was significantly longer in elderly patients in both unmatched (16 [IQR = 10-24.5] versus 11 [IQR = 8-19] days; P < 0.001) and matched cohorts (17 [IQR = 13-27] versus 11 [IQR = 7-19] days; P = 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients in the unmatched cohort (elderly patients = 21.1%, non-elderly patients = 7.3%; P = 0.003) but was insignificant following PSM (elderly patients = 15.7%, non-elderly patients = 9.8%; P = 0.219). Duration of antibiotic therapy and need for percutaneous drainage (PD) were comparable before and after PSM.

CONCLUSION

Age ≥ 65 years old is associated with longer LOS. In-hospital mortality though higher in elderly patients, was not statistically significant.

Chi-square automatic interaction detector decision tree analysis model: Predicting cefmetazole response in intra-abdominal infection

BACKGROUND

Cefmetazole is used as the first-line treatment for intra-abdominal infections. However, only a few studies have investigated the risk factors for cefmetazole treatment failure.

AIMS

This study aimed to develop a decision tree-based predictive model to assess the effectiveness of cefmetazole in initial intra-abdominal infection treatment to improve the clinical treatment strategies.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who were unexpectedly hospitalized due to intra-abdominal infections between 2003 and 2020 and initially treated with cefmetazole. The primary outcome was clinical intra-abdominal infection improvement. The chi-square automatic interaction detector decision tree analysis was used to create a predictive model for clinical improvement after cefmetazole treatment.

RESULTS

Among 2,194 patients, 1,807 (82.4%) showed clinical improvement post-treatment; their mean age was 48.7 (standard deviation: 18.8) years, and 1,213 (55.3%) patients were men. The intra-abdomせinal infections were appendicitis (n = 1,186, 54.1%), diverticulitis (n = 334, 15.2%), and pancreatitis (n = 285, 13.0%). The chi-square automatic interaction detector decision tree analysis identified the intra-abdominal infection type, C-reactive protein level, heart rate, and body temperature as predictive factors by categorizing patients into seven groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.73).

CONCLUSION

This predictive model is easily understandable visually and may be applied in clinical practice.

Recurrent pyogenic liver abscess after pancreatoduodenectomy caused by common hepatic artery injury: A case report

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has been increasingly performed as a safe treatment option for periampullary malignant and benign disorders. However, the operation may result in significant postoperative complications. Here, we present a case that recurrent pyogenic liver abscess after PD is caused by common hepatic artery injury in atypical celiac axis anatomy.

CASE SUMMARY

A 56-year-old man with a 1-d history of fever and shivering was diagnosed with hepatic abscess. One year and five months ago, he underwent PD at a local hospital to treat chronic pancreatitis. After the operation, the patient had recurrent intrahepatic abscesses for 4 times, and the symptoms were relieved after percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage combining with anti-inflammatory therapy in the local hospital. Further examination showed that the recurrent liver abscess after PD was caused by common hepatic artery injury due to abnormal abdominal vascular anatomy. The patient underwent percutaneous drainage but continued to have recurrent episodes. His condition was eventually cured by right hepatectomy. In this case, preoperative examination of the patient’s anatomical variations with computed tomography would have played a pivotal role in avoiding arterial injuries.

CONCLUSION

A careful computed tomography analysis should be considered mandatory not only to define the operability (with radical intent) of PD candidates but also to identify atypical arterial patterns and plan the optimal surgical strategy.

Clinical Validation of the Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale in Taiwan

PURPOSE

A successful transition from gavage to full oral feeding is a decisive indicator for discharging premature infants from the neonatal intensive care unit. A clinically useful measure of oral feeding readiness would help nurses initiate implementation of the cue-based feeding model in Taiwan. The study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Traditional Chinese Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale (TC-POFRAS).

DESIGN AND METHODS

81 preterm infants were enrolled and assessed by TC-POFRAS regarding their oral feeding readiness. This study included two phases. Phase 1 conducted a cross language validation procedure and item-level content validity indices (I-CVIs) for content validity were estimated. In phase 2, Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency at each category and total scale levels were estimated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was estimated to explore the scale's performance. The optimal cut-off value of TC-POFRAS was identified by the best Youden's Index [maximum (sensitivity + specificity - 1)].

RESULTS

All of the I-CVIs were 1.00. The whole Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency was 0.804 (95% CI = 0.736-0.862), and Cronbach's alpha values were between 0.538 (95% = 0.332-0.689) and 0.687 (95%CI = 0.572-0.781) for categories. The area under ROC was 92.2%, and an optimal cut-off value of TC-POFRAS was 29 (sensitivity: 0.938, specificity: 0.941).

CONCLUSIONS

The TC-POFRAS has been verified to be an effective and accurate instrument to determine the initiation of oral feeding in preterm infants.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The TC-POFRAS is an appropriate and complementary assessment instrument for professionals to conveniently use in clinical practice.

Outcomes of Gas-Forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess Are Comparable to Non-Gas-Forming Pyogenic Liver Abscess in the Era of Multi-Modal Care: A Propensity Score Matched Study

Background: Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) occurs in 7%-24% of all PLAs and has been associated traditionally with high mortality rates. Studies have suggested that the use of a proactive approach of prompt resuscitation, parenteral antibiotic agents, percutaneous drainage, and a dedicated multi-disciplinary team may improve clinical outcomes. Hence, we aim to investigate whether the clinical outcomes of PLA are determined by gas formation. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with PLA from 2007 to 2011. A 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed using age, co-morbid diabetes mellitus, presence of septic shock, hemoglobin levels, international normalized ratio, creatinine, total bilirubin, positive blood culture and pus culture, and the size of abscess. Baseline demographics, clinical profile, and peri-operative data were compared. Results: There were 213 patients who had PLA: 41 (19.2%) patients had GFPLA and 172 (80.8%) patients had non-GFPLA. The PSM analysis resulted in a total of 108 patients (36 GFPLA and 72 non-GFPLA). Median duration of parenteral antibiotic agents was significantly lower in the GFPLA group (9.5 d vs. 14 d, p = 0.044), but median total duration of antibiotic use was comparable (GFPLA 39 d vs. non-GFPLA 37 d, p = 0.634). Median length of stay (days) did not differ significantly between GFPLA and non-GFPLA (14 vs. 15, p = 0.299). There were no statistically significant differences between GFLPA and non-GFLPA in the need for percutaneous drainage (26/36 (72.2%) vs. 47/72 (65.3%), respectively, p = 0.467) and in-hospital all-cause death (4/36 (11.1%) vs. 7 (9.7%), p = 0.822) Conclusions: Outcomes of GFPLA are comparable to those of non-GFPLA in the era of multi-modal care.

Small Bowel Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor as a Gateway for Streptococcus anginosus Causing Multiple Liver Abscesses

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common type of mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract but consist of only 1% of all primary gastrointestinal neoplasms. Differentiated from other spindle cell tumors, GISTs are uniquely positive for CD117 expression which allows for molecular targeting therapy with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec). Clinical presentations are variable, ranging from asymptomatic to vague symptoms of abdominal pain, early satiety, abdominal distention or gastrointestinal bleeding. Very rarely, patients can present with tumor-bowel fistula and intra-abdominal abscesses. In this article, we discuss a rare presentation of a middle-aged male with multiple liver abscesses found to have a primary small bowel GIST. This patient received prompt intravenous antibiotics; however, hepatic abscesses can be easily misinterpreted as cystic hepatic metastases which can delay appropriate therapy. Streptococcus anginosus was found to be responsible for the formation of the liver abscesses visualized on computed tomography (CT) scan. Similar to Streptococcus bovis, knowledge in the literature is arising about the association between S. anginosus and gastrointestinal malignancies. This case highlights the importance of identifying concomitant primary GISTs with intra-hepatic abscesses, as these lesions can be easily misconstrued as liver metastases and consequently mismanaged. We herein emphasize that hepatic abscesses are a potential sequela of GISTs and should thus prompt further investigation for potential malignancies, if warranted, so that there is no delay in treatment of these gastrointestinal tumors.

Prognostic nomogram for the combination therapy of percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics in pyogenic liver abscess patients

PURPOSE

To identify the predictors for recovery of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) patients treated with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and antibiotics, and then develop an effective nomogram to predict the recovery time.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective study included consecutive PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. We defined the overall recovery time (ORT) as the time from the PCD procedure to the time of clinical success or failure. Based on the ORT, its predictors were identified with univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, a nomogram was developed to predict the ORT, and was internally validated by using Harrell's c statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 116 patients and 142 PCD procedures with a median ORT of 15.0±10.6 days were included. Gas-formation (GF; HR: 0.486 [95% CI 0.312-0.757]; P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM; HR: 0.455 [95% CI 0.303-0.682]; P<0.001), and preinterventional septic shock (PSS; HR: 0.276 [95% CI 0.158-0.483]; P < 0.001) were identified as predictors for the ORT of combination therapy after univariate and multivariate analyses, which indicated a significantly longer ORT than those patients without. The prognostic analyses demonstrated that the more predictors (GF, DM, and PSS) a patient exhibited, the longer ORT for the combination therapy. A nomogram was developed to predict the ORT and revealed high accuracy, with Harrell's c statistic of 0.73.

CONCLUSION

GF, DM, and PSS were predictors for the recovery of PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. The nomogram was effective in predicting the ORT of combination therapy.

Percutaneous treatment of liver abscess - outcomes

Introduction

Mixed bacterial flora are responsible for the development of numerous abscesses, particularly those that are a consequence of systemic infection (septicaemia) originating from pathologies within abdominal organs or biliary ducts. The number and volume of abscesses may vary, which influences the method of treatment.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a minimally invasive percutaneous drainage of liver abscesses.

Material and methods

A total of 37 patients were treated for liver abscess in the years 2007-2016. The treatment involved sonographically guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscess.

Results

A total of 35 patients with a solitary abscess were successfully cured with minimally invasive percutaneous drainage. Two patients with abscesses volume > 20 cm³ were treated surgically after ineffective percutaneous drainage.

Conclusions

Percutaneous drainage is effective in the treatment of solitary liver abscesses volume < 5 cm³. Irregularly shaped abscesses are effectively drained with multisite drainage. Hybrid drainage (endoscopic and percutaneous) is a method of choice in the treatment of abscesses resulting from biliary duct obstruction. Statistical significance regarding inflammatory markers was found only for C-reactive protein (CRP), because it correlated with the effectiveness of drainage, i.e. the possibility of drainage effectiveness decreased with the increase in CRP values.

Ruptured Pyogenic Liver Abscess with Pneumoperitoneum 19 Years After Pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND Rupture of a pyogenic liver abscess is rare but serious complication. In patients after pancreatoduodenectomy, there are some conditions causing the development of liver abscesses (e.g., chronic reflux-cholangitis, efferent jejunal loop stasis, stenosis of the biliary anastomosis, and pancreatogenic diabetes). However, the number of published cases of liver abscess after pancreatoduodenectomy is small. CASE REPORT A 42-year-old male was admitted with severe abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. Nineteen years previously, he had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy and cholecystectomy for chronic pancreatitis with obstructive jaundice. Two years later, diabetes mellitus was diagnosed, with subsequent insulin treatment. At admission, symptoms of peritonitis were present. Plain abdominal radiography showed free gas under the right hemidiaphragm and heterogeneous liver shade with small gas-fluid levels. The rupture of a liver abscess was suspected. Laparotomy with adhesiolysis, debridement of the liver abscess cavity, and abdominal drainage were performed. The postoperative period was complicated by sepsis, right lower lobe pneumonia, and two-sided pleural effusions, on the background of insulin-dependent diabetes and malnutrition. The patient was discharged on the 40th day and the subdiaphragmatic drains were removed on the 114th day. Sixteen months after surgery, the patient's condition was satisfactory. Magnetic resonance imaging and echography showed the absence of biliary hypertension. The liver tissue had healed completely. CONCLUSIONS A unique case of ruptured liver abscess after pancreatoduodenectomy is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published case with such a long time interval (19 years) between pancreatoduodenectomy and the formation of a pyogenic liver abscess.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in a cohort of patients with pyogenic and amoebic liver abscess

Background

We describe the clinical features of a cohort of patients with liver abscesses and investigate relationships between clinical, radiological and microbiological findings and mortality.

Methods

Retrospective review of pyogenic (PLA) or amoebic liver abscesses (ALA) diagnosed and treated at a major infectious diseases department in London over 9 years.

Results

One hundred forty-one patient records were identified; 132 (93.6%) had PLA and 9 (6.4%) ALA. No organism was identified in 38.6% (51/132); a single bacterial species was isolated in 47.0% (62/132) of PLA, ≥ 2 in 14.4% (19/132). There was weak evidence of variation in abscess size by type of microorganism, with streptococcal PLA typically larger (p = 0.03 for Streptococcus milleri group, p = 0.05 for non-milleri streptococci). Patients with ALA were younger (median 41, IQR 37–51 years) than those with PLA (median 68, IQR 50.5–78 years) (p = 0.003) and all were male (9/9, 100%, (p = 0.03)), with a history of recent travel in the majority (6/9, 66.7% (p = 0.003)). C-reactive protein was higher in ALA than in PLA (p = 0.06). In the entire cohort, loculation (HR = 2.51 (95% CI 1.00–6.32), p = 0.04) and baseline ALP (HR = 4.78 (95% CI 1.19–19.2) per log₁₀ increase, p = 0.03) were associated with mortality. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) analysis was used in a subset of culture-negative cases and increased the diagnostic yield by 13%.

Conclusions

Clinical or radiological features cannot be used to distinguish between PLA and ALA, or help identify the bacterial cause of PLA. However, ALA is more common in young, male patients with a history of travel. 16S rRNA analysis of abscess fluid has a role in improving microbiological diagnosis in culture-negative cases.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-4127-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The geriatric nutritional risk index independently predicts adverse outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess

Background

Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value.

Methods

This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. According to one GNRI cutoff value of 90, the patients were divided into two groups. Besides, demographic, laboratory, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

Results

Compared with high GNRI patients, those with low GNRI had a higher risk of mortality (13.4% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.002), metastatic infection (17.7% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.050), acute hepatic failure (6.8% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.036), acute respiratory failure (7.4% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.024), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding (11.9% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.006) and empyema (20.1% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated GNRI (< 90) as one independent factor in death prediction (odds ratio (OR) = 5.36, 95% of confidence interval (CI) = 1.17–24.48), and adverse outcomes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05–3.98). GNRI had the largest area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve than albumin, BMI, platelet, prothrombin time and hemoglobin in death prediction (area under ROC curves (AUC) = 0.771, cutoff value = 79.45, P < 0.01) and all adverse outcomes (AUC = 0.656, cutoff value = 87.43, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Lower levels of GNRI are an independent risk factor for poor PLA prognosis. Physicians should consider GNRI for PLA outcomes and consider more careful resuscitation and timely and appropriate treatment, especially in those with GNRI< 87.43.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a feasible prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess in the emergency department

PURPOSE

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an effective predictor of mortality in patients with for various conditions. To date, there are no previous studies on NLR as a prognostic marker for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA), especially on admission to the emergency department (ED).

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2015, 102 patients diagnosed with PLA in the ED were included. Clinico-radiological and laboratory results, including NLR, were evaluated as variables. NLR was calculated as absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count. To evaluate the prognosis of PLA, data on hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and development of septic shock were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Among 102 patients, 10 (9.8%) died, 14 (13.7%) were admitted to the ICU, and 15 (14.7%) developed septic shock during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed NLR as an independent factor in predicting death [odds ratio (OR), 1.4; p = 0.020], ICU admission (OR, 1.4; p = 0.021), and development of septic shock (OR, 1.6; p = 0.041). NLR showed an excellent predictive performance for death (areas under the ROC curves [AUC], 0.941; cut-off value, 19.7; p < 0.001), ICU admission (AUC, 0.946; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001), and development of septic shock (AUC, 0.927; cut-off value, 16.9; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

NLR was positively associated with poor prognosis of PLA; elevated NLR could predictor of high risk of death, ICU admission, and development of septic shock. Emergency physicians should consider NLR for the prognosis of PLA and early aggressive treatment, especially in patients with NLR > 16.9.

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess: A world review

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) has an incidence of up to 30% of all pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA). GFPLA has higher mortality compared to non-GFPLA. Mere presence of gas within abscess may not determine clinical outcome. Hence it is important to study biologic characteristics that make GFPLA a distinct clinical entity. The aim of this study was to conduct a world review on GFPLA.

METHODS

We conducted literature searches in PubMed using the following MeSH terms: "gas forming" AND "Liver abscess, pyogenic", "gas" AND "Liver abscess, pyogenic", "gas" AND "Liver abscess", "gas forming" AND "Liver abscess". Thirteen case series including 313 GFPLA patients were included. Age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), bacteriology, underlying etiology, symptoms, investigations, operative indications, and mortality rates were tabulated.

RESULTS

GFPLA is often cryptogenic. There was no difference in age, gender, or symptomatology between GFPLA and non-GFPLA patients. DM was more common in patients with GFPLA compared to that in non-GFPLA patients (mean: 83.5% vs. 38.3%). Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common causative pathogen. GFPLA has higher mortality compared to non-GFPLA (mean: 30.3% vs. 9%).

CONCLUSIONS

GFPLA is associated with DM and monomicrobial Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. GFPLA has high mortality. It needs to be recognized as a distinct clinical entity.

A rare case of pericarditis and pleural empyema secondary to transdiaphragmatic extension of pyogenic liver abscess

BACKGROUND

Transdiaphragmatic extension of pyogenic liver abscess is the rarest cause of pericarditis and pleural empyema. It is a rapidly progressive and highly lethal infection with mortality rates reaching 100% if left untreated. However, the transmission route, treatment methods and prognosis have not been well studied.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old male patient presented with a fever, dyspnea, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen showed huge liver abscess without full liquefaction in the left lobe, large amount of left pleural effusion, and mild pericardial effusion, and the patient was treated with parenteral antibiotics and pigtail insertion at the left pleura. However, four days later, cardiac tamponade was developed and surgical drainage of the abscess and pericardium was performed. Klebsiella pneumonia was isolated from pleural empyema. Twenty-five days after surgery, the patient was discharged without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Herein, we report a rare case of pleural empyema and pericarditis in that resulted from the extension of huge pyogenic liver abscess. Early surgical treatment may have prevented progression of the pericarditis to the more dismal purulent pericarditis. We also review pertinent English literature on pericarditis as a complication of PLA.

Postdischarge Outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscesses: Single-Center Experience 2007-2012

Background

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) are increasingly managed by percutaneous treatment instead of surgery, but there are limited data about postdischarge outcomes. Postdischarge services and factors predicting poor outcomes have not been described.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, descriptive case series at a single center assessing treatment and outpatient follow-up for patients treated for PLA from 2007 to 2012. We reviewed the electronic medical record for patient characteristics and outcomes. Data for care received at other facilities were not available. In our analysis, we compared patients with malignancy with those without and attempted to determine predictors of emergency department (ED) visits and hospital readmissions.

Results

Of 125 patients identified with PLA, 12 had surgical drainage, 23 had percutaneous aspiration, 78 had percutaneous drainage (PD), 11 had no drainage, and 1 was made comfort measures only. Seventy (60%) were discharged with a drain, and 31 (25%) were discharged on intravenous (IV) antibiotics. After discharge, 46 (38%) had ED visits and 36 (30%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Fourteen (12%) had complications from antibiotics, and 4 (13%) had complications from peripherally inserted center catheter lines. A total of 8 patients, 5 in-hospital and 3 postdischarge, died. In our analysis of risk factors for 90-day postdischarge ED visit/readmission, only malignancy was a predictor.

Conclusions

Pyogenic liver abscess patients have intense postdischarge needs (drain management, IV antibiotics) and a high rate of ED visits and readmissions. Although PD provides source control without surgery, ambulatory needs are now more complex, requiring multidisciplinary collaboration.

Metastatic endophthalmitis and thyroid abscess complicating Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess

The thyroid is resistant to infection due to its anatomical and physiological characteristics. We present a rare case of invasive liver abscess with metastatic thyroid abscess and endogenous endophthalmitis in a previously healthy 55-year-old female patient without diabetes or other medical illness. This report raises an important question of the virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae as an increasingly common causative agent of liver abscess.

Liver abscess and bacteremia caused by lactobacillus: role of probiotics? Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Lactobacilli are non-spore forming, lactic acid producing, gram-positive rods. They are a part of the normal gastrointestinal and genitourinary microbiota and have rarely been reported to be the cause of infections. Lactobacilli species are considered non-pathogenic organisms and have been used as probiotics to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea. There are sporadic reported cases of infections related to lactobacilli containing probiotics.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this paper we discuss a case of an 82 year old female with liver abscess and bacteremia from lactobacillus after using probiotics containing lactobacilli in the course of her treatment of Clostridium difficile colitis. The Lactobacillus strain identification was not performed and therefore, both commensal microbiota and the probiotic product should be considered as possible sources of the strain.

CONCLUSION

Lactobacilli can lead to bacteremia and liver abscesses in some susceptible persons and greater awareness of this potential side effect is warranted with the increasing use of probiotics containing lactobacilli.

Patients with culture negative pyogenic liver abscess have the same outcomes compared to those with Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess

BACKGROUND

Etiologic organism is not frequently isolated despite multiple blood and fluid cultures during management of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Such culture negative pyogenic liver abscess (CNPLA) is routinely managed by antibiotics targeted to Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of such clinical practice.

METHODS

All the patients with CNPLA and Klebsiella pneumoniae PLA (KPPLA) admitted from January 2003 to December 2011 were included in the study. A retrospective review of medical records was performed and demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 528 patients were treated as CNPLA or KPPLA over the study period. CNPLA presented more commonly with abdominal pain (P=0.024). KPPLA was more common in older age (P=0.029) and was associated with thrombocytopenia (P=0.001), elevated creatinine (P=0.002), bilirubin (P=0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P=0.006) and C-reactive protein level (P=0.036). CNPLA patients tend to have anemia (P=0.015) and smaller abscess (P=0.008). There was no difference in hospital stay (15.7 vs 16.8 days) or mortality (14.0% vs 11.0%). No patients required surgical drainage after initiation of medical therapy.

CONCLUSION

Despite demographic and clinical differences between CNPLA and KPPLA, overall outcomes are not different.

Clostridium difficile: A rare cause of pyogenic liver abscess

Extra-intestinal infections due to Clostridium difficile have been reported rarely. Herein we report a case of pyogenic liver abscess from toxigenic C. difficile in an 80-year-old non-hospitalized woman with diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. The patient was admitted to the emergency department with fever and abdominal pain. There was no history of diarrhea or use of antibiotics. Laboratory parameters revealed signs of inflammation and elevated AST and ALT levels. Abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography showed multiple focal lesions in the bilateral liver lobes and hydropic gallbladder with stones. The patient underwent cholecystectomy and the liver abscesses were drained. Toxigenic C. difficile strains were isolated from the drained pus and also from the stool sample. According to repetitive-element PCR (rep-PCR) analyses both organisms were the same. The organisms were susceptible to antibiotics. Despite proper antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage, the patient succumbed to her illness.

Differentiation of pyogenic hepatic abscesses from malignant mimickers using multislice-based texture acquired from contrast-enhanced computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic hepatic abscess may mimic primary or secondary carcinoma of the liver on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). The present study was to explore the usefulness of the analysis of multislice-based texture acquired from CECT in the differentiation between pyogenic hepatic abscesses and malignant mimickers.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 25 abscesses in 20 patients and 33 tumors in 26 subjects who underwent CECT. To make comparison, we also enrolled 19 patients with hepatic single simple cyst. The images from CECT were analyzed using a Laplacian of Gaussian band-pass filter (5 filter levels with sigma weighting ranging from 1.0 to 2.5). We also quantified the uniformity, entropy, kurtosis and skewness of the multislice-based texture at different sigma weightings. Statistical significance for these parameters was tested with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in entropy and uniformity at all sigma weightings (P<0.001) among hepatic abscesses, malignant mimickers and simple cysts. The significant difference in kurtosis and skewness was shown at sigma 1.8 and 2.0 weightings (P=0.002-0.006). Tukey HSD test showed that the abscesses had a significantly higher entropy and lower uniformity compared with malignant mimickers (P=0.000-0.004). Entropy (at a sigma 2.0 weighting) had the largest area under the ROC curve (0.888) in differentiating abscesses from malignant mimickers, with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 88.0% when the cutoff value was set to 3.64.

CONCLUSION

Multislice-based texture analysis may be useful for differentiating pyogenic hepatic abscesses from malignant mimickers.

Percutaneous drainage for giant pyogenic liver abscess--is it safe and sufficient?

BACKGROUND

Large size is a predictor of failure of percutaneous drainage (PD) for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). This article serves to establish the safety and sufficiency of PD in giant PLA (GPLA).

METHODS

A retrospective review of all GPLA patients treated at a tertiary care academic hospital from 2001 to 2011 was performed. A GPLA is defined as an abscess greater than or equal to 10 cm size based on imaging.

RESULTS

Forty patients (24 men, 60%) were treated for GPLA. All but 1 patient (98%) was managed with PD and the mean duration of drainage was 9 days (range 1 to 23 days). One patient underwent operative drainage. Three patients (7.7%) needed secondary procedures after the initial PD. One patient (2.6%) failed PD and subsequently underwent operative drainage. Among the patients who underwent PD, the overall morbidity was 25%; the median length of hospital stay was 13 days (range 5 to 31 days) and 1 (2.6%) mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Large size itself is not a contraindication for PD. PD is safe and sufficient even in GPLA patients.

[A Case of Delayed-onset Multiple Metastatic Infection following Liver Abscess]

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess has a tendency to spread to distant sites early in the course of disease and to involve multiple organs synchronously. A 59-year-old male was admitted because of liver abscess accompanied by fever and abdominal pain. The patient underwent percutaneous catheter drainage and received intravenous antibiotics. Symptom relief was achieved after the treatment as well as marked reduction in the size of the abscess. Despite proper treatment of the liver abscess, however, patient developed multiple metastatic infections in a non-concurrent manner: left and right endophthalmitis, psoas abscess, and infectious spondylitis at 5, 23, 30 and 65 days after initial manifestations of liver abscess, respectively. Each infectious episode followed one another after resolution of the former one. For each episode of metastatic infections, the patient promptly underwent treatment with systemic and local antibiotics, interventional abscess drainage, and surgical treatments as needed. The patient fully recovered without sequelae after the use of intravenous antibiotics for an extended period of time. Herein, we report a case of K. pneumoniae liver abscess complicated with delayed-onset multiple metastatic infections.

Predictors of therapy failure in a series of 741 adult pyogenic liver abscesses

BACKGROUND

Adult pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a major hepato-biliary infection. We aim to identify risk factors associated with therapy failure.

METHODS

Retrospective study of 741 PLA patients (2001-2011) and comparison with earlier data (1994-1997). Risk factors associated with therapy failure were identified with multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Incidence of PLA is 86/100 000 admissions, with average size 5.75 cm. 68% of PLA were secondary to Klebsiella pneumoniae and there is increasing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance. Compared with 1990s, there is an increasing annual incidence (from 18 to 67). Elderly age (≥55-years-old), presence of multiple abscesses, malignancy as etiology and patients who underwent endoscopic intervention are independent predictors for failure of antibiotics-only therapy while average intravenous antibiotics duration and average abscess size are not. ECOG performance status ≥2, pre-existing hypertension and hyperbilirubinaemia are independent predictors for failure of percutaneous therapy while the presence of multiple abscesses and average abscess size are not.

CONCLUSION

There is an increasing PLA incidence with increasing ESBL resistance. Percutaneous drainage should be considered early for elderly patients (≥55-years-old), with multiple abscesses, malignancy as etiology or who required endoscopic intervention. We should have a low threshold for surgical intervention for patients with ECOG performance status ≥2, co-morbidity of hypertension or hyperbilirubinaemia.

Liver abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae: risk factors for metastatic infection

INTRODUCTION

Klebsiella pneumoniae-associated liver abscess (KPLA) is often accompanied by extrahepatic complications. We investigated the clinical features and outcomes of patients with and without metastatic infections and compared the 2 groups.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 161 patients with KPLA who were admitted to 2 tertiary referral hospitals in Korea.

RESULTS

In total, 9.9% had a metastatic infection. The most commonly involved distant sites were the eyes (n = 7) and the lungs (n = 6). In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus as an underlying disease (odds ratio (OR) 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-9.51; p = 0.03) and a platelet count < 80,000/mm(3) (OR 11.60, 95% CI 2.53-53.26; p = 0.002) were associated with metastatic infection. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was not observed in K. pneumoniae from patients with metastatic infection, whereas 3.4% of the bacteria in patients without metastatic infection had ESBL production. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.45). The in-hospital mortality rate was not significantly different (0% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.52). By multivariate analysis, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was independently associated with mortality among patients with KPLA (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.12-2.00; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians must be aware of potential metastatic infections in patients with KPLA, especially if they have diabetes mellitus and thrombocytopenia. The APACHE II score was predictive of mortality in patients with KPLA.

An Increasing Prominent Disease of Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Background. During the past two decades, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) had surpassed Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the predominant isolate from patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in Asian countries, the United States, and Europe, and it tended to spread globally. Since the clinical symptom is atypical, the accurate and effective diagnosis and treatment of K. pneumoniae liver abscesses (KLAs) are very necessary. Methods. Here, we have comprehensively clarified the epidemiology and pathogenesis of KLA, put emphases on the clinical presentations especially the characteristic radiographic findings of KLA, and thoroughly elucidated the most effective antibiotic strategy of KLA. Results. K1 serotype is strongly associated with KLA especially in diabetic patients. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) were two main diagnostic methods of KLA in the past. Most of KLAs have solitary, septal lobular abscesses in the right lobe of liver, and they are mainly monomicrobial. Broad-spectrum antibiotics combined with the US-guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscesses can increase their survival rates, but surgical intervention still has its irreplaceable position. Conclusion. The imaging features contribute to the early diagnosis, and the percutaneous intervention combined with an aminoglycoside plus either an extended-spectrum betalactam or a second- or third-generation cephalosporin is a timely and effective treatment of KLA.

An unusual cause of acute abdomen-Gas-forming liver abscess due to Salmonella enteritidis

Gas-forming pyogenic liver abscess (GFPLA) is considered to be a very severe form of PLA and carries a high mortality. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogen responsible for the disease, whereas cases where Salmonella is cited as the cause are very uncommon. We report the first case of a 53-year-old lady suffering from GFPLA due to Salmonella, who was successfully treated with surgical drainage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of GFPLA caused by Salmonella enteritidis to be reported in the English literature.

Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score as a prognostic indicator in patients with pyogenic liver abscess

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore the predictor index of mortality in patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review that enrolled 431 patients 18 years and older hospitalized due to PLA between January 2005 and December 2010. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes retrieved from medical records were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 431 patients identified with PLA was 56.9 ± 15.0 years. The mean Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score on admission was 4.8 ± 4.1 (range, 0-17). During hospitalization, 94 patients (22%) required intensive care. Of the 431 patients, 63 died, yielding a 15% case fatality rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher MEDS scores on admission (P < .0001) and the presence of underlying malignancy (P = .006), multiple abscesses (P = .001), anaerobic infections (P < .0001), hyperbilirubinemia (P < .0001), and higher serum creatinine levels (P < .0001) were significantly associated with PLA mortality. The estimated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for MEDS in predicting PLA mortality was 0.829 (95% confidence interval, 0.791-0.864; P < .0001). The optimal cutoff MEDS value of 7 or higher had a sensitivity of 76% sensitivity and a specificity of 81%, with a 10.7-fold PLA mortality risk (P < .0001) and a 26.2-fold intensive care unit admission risk (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The MEDS scores on admission represent a significant prognostic indicator for patients with PLA.

Hepatic abscess: case report and review

Hepatic abscess is an uncommon occurrence in North America, but can be a diagnostic challenge for emergency department physicians. The clinical signs and symptoms may vary, leading to delays in diagnosis and higher morbidity. We present a case of a 35-year old male with a hepatic abscess initially misdiagnosed as pneumonia. On subsequent return to the ED for back pain complaints, a bedside ultrasound led to the appropriate diagnosis. This case report and discussion will attempt to review the literature on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of hepatic abscess for the emergency physician.

Hepatic abscesses

Hepatic abscesses are potentially lethal diseases if early diagnosis and treatment are not instituted. They are prevalent all over the globe and pyogenic abscesses are predominant over amoebic. With better control of intra abdominal and systemic infections by a spectrum of antibiotics, aetiology of pyogenic abscesses are secondary to interventions and diseases in the biliary tree to a large extent today. The common organisms isolated are the Gram negative group. Amoebic abscesses continue to plague some regions of the world where hygiene and sanitation are questionable. Over the years, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis have evolved remarkably. Imaging modalities like ultrasonography and CT scan have become the cornerstone of diagnosis. The absence of ionizing radiation makes MRI an attractive alternative in patients who require multiple follow up scans. Serological testing in amoebic abscesses has become more reliable. Though antibiotics have remained the principal modality of management, percutaneous drainage of abscesses have vastly improved the chances of cure and bring down the morbidity drastically in pyogenic abscesses. Amoebic abscesses respond well to medical treatment with nitroimidazoles, and minimally invasive surgical drainage is an option in cases where open surgery is indicated.

Liver abscesses in adult patients with and without diabetes mellitus: an analysis of the clinical characteristics, features of the causative pathogens, outcomes and predictors of fatality: a report based on a large population, retrospective study in China

In China, there are four types of liver abscesses (LAs) that meet the clinical criteria. Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) and amoebic liver abscesses (ALAs) are two of the most common types of abscesses, followed by fungal liver abscesses (FLAs) and hydatid secondary liver abscesses (HsLAs). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with the development of PLAs. However, there is a lack of population-based studies that have evaluated the underlying relationship between LAs (mainly PLAs and FLAs) and DM. We conducted a retrospective study based on a large population to identify the potential differences and factors that affect the mortality of PLA patients in DM and non-DM groups. Our results revealed that the prevalence of DM is 44.3% (158/357) in PLA patients and 35.3% (18/51) in FLA patients. Compared with the non-DM patients, statistically significant differences were found in DM patients according to symptomatology, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, microbiological characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, clinical treatments and outcomes in relation to mortality. In addition, the status of antibiotic resistance to E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which were isolated from the patient samples, is severe in the area in which the study was conducted. Regarding the treatment of PLAs, our study indicated that broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy and drug combinations should be recommended and initiated before the pathogens are cultured and identified. In the clinic, therapies that combine percutaneous drainage with antibiotics and surgery with antibiotics are the two most useful strategies for treating an LA. These two combined treatments resulted in satisfactory cure rates. In the DM and non-DM groups, the cure rates for percutaneous drainage with antibiotics were 90.3% and 92.0%, respectively, and the cure rates for surgery with antibiotics were 93.9% and 95.2%, respectively.

Are pyogenic liver abscesses still a surgical concern? A Western experience

Backgrounds. Pyogenic liver abscess is a rare disease whose management has shifted toward greater use of percutaneous drainage. Surgery still plays a role in treatment, but its indications are not clear. Method. We conducted a retrospective study of pyogenic abscess cases admitted to our university hospital between 1999 and 2010 and assessed the factors potentially associated with surgical treatment versus medical treatment alone. Results. In total, 103 liver abscess patients were treated at our center. The mortality was 9%. The main symptoms were fever and abdominal pain. All of the patients had CRP > 6 g/dL. Sixty-nine patients had a unique abscess. Seventeen patients were treated with antibiotics alone and 57 with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. Twenty-seven patients who were treated with percutaneous techniques required surgery, and 29 patients initially received it. Eventually, 43 patients underwent abscess surgery. The factors associated with failed medical treatment were gas-forming abscess (P = 0.006) and septic shock at the initial presentation (P = 0.008). Conclusion. Medical and percutaneous treatment constitute the standard management of liver abscess cases. Surgery remains necessary after failure of the initial treatment but should also be considered as an early intervention for cases presenting with gas-forming abscesses and septic shock and when treatment of the underlying cause is immediately required.

Prediction of prognosis in acute paraquat poisoning using severity scoring system in emergency department

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to validate and compare the performance of serum paraquat level, severity index of paraquat poisoning (SIPP), Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), modified Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (MSAPS II), and modified Expanded Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (MSAPS IIe) calculated immediately after arrival on emergency department (ED) for assessing the mortality of acute paraquat poisoning.

METHODS

A retrospective study design was employed with the main outcome measure being mortality from year 2001 to 2010. MSAPS II and MSAPS IIe were employed in that assessment of the 24-hour urine output were not included. The performance of APACHE II, MSAPS II, MSAPS IIe, serum paraquat level and SIPP for prediction of mortality in acute paraquat poisoning were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were enrolled in the study. The area under the ROC curve for APACHE II (0.800) was statistically lower than those for MSAPS II, MSAPS IIe, SIPP and serum paraquat (0.879, 0.893, 0.924,and 0.951, respectively). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test C statistic revealed that APACHE II, MSAPS II, MSAPS IIe and serum paraquat level showed good calibrations (chi-square 8.477 and p = 0.388, chi-square 4.614 and p = 0.798, chi-squared 5.301 and p = 0.725, chi-squared 1.009 and p = 0.985 respectively), but poor calibration for SIPP (chi-square 21.293 and p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Serum paraquat level is still the most reliable prognosis factor in acute paraquat poisoning. But MSAPS II or MSAPS IIe calculated immediately after arrival on ED may be helpful to predict mortality in acute paraquat poisoning especially when hospital has no facility to measure serum paraquat level.

A prospective series case study of pyogenic liver abscess: recent trands in etiology and management

Our study aims to review the literature on the management of pyogenic liver abscess, focusing on the choice of drainage. A case series of our experience with clinicopathological correlation is presented to highlight the indication and outcome of each modality of drainage. Intravenous antibiotic is the first line, and mainstay, of treatment. Drainage is necessary for large abscesses, equal to or larger than 5 cm in size, to facilitate resolution. While percutaneous drainage is appropriate as first-line surgical treatment in most cases, open surgical drainage is prudent in cases of rupture, multiloculation, associated biliary, or intra-abdominal pathology. Percutaneous drainage may help to optimize clinical condition prior to surgery. Nevertheless, in current good clinical practices, the choice of therapy needs to be individualized according to patient's clinical status and abscess factors. They are complementary in the management of liver abscesses.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of cancer patients with pyogenic liver abscess

PURPOSE

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) of cancer patients often has a poor prognosis, but corresponding prognostic factors are less investigated. This study aimed to identify predictors of mortality in cancer patients with PLA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of 85 consecutive cancer patients (46 with hepatobiliary pancreatic cancer, 14 with gastrointestinal cancer, and 25 with non-digestive system cancer) having PLA who were admitted to two university hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The predictors of mortality were determined using Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The overall case fatality rate was 33%. In multivariate analysis, the greater Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P = 0.028), multiloculated abscess (P = 0.025), and polymicrobial infection (P = 0.003) were associated with mortality. In subgroup analysis of the 25 patients with multiloculated abscess undergoing percutaneous catheter drainage as primary treatment, the case fatality rates of patients with a solitary smaller abscess (size < 5 cm), those with a solitary larger abscess (size > 5 cm), and those with larger multiple abscesses were 0%, 36%, and 85%, respectively (P = 0.002; using χ (2) for trend).

CONCLUSIONS

The advanced disease stage, multiloculated abscess, and polymicrobial infection posed a greater mortality risk in cancer patients with PLA. Moreover, an early surgical approach should be considered for cancer patients having large, multiloculated complex PLAs.

Comparison of laparoscopic and open surgery for pyogenic liver abscess with biliary pathology

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of laparoscopic surgery for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) with biliary pathology.

METHODS: From January 2004 to October 2010, 31 patients with PLA combined with biliary pathology meeting entry criteria received surgical management in our hospital. Of the 31 patients, 13 underwent laparoscopic surgery (LS group) and 18 underwent open surgery (OS group). Clinical data including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complication rate, length of postoperative hospital stay, and abscess recurrence rate were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: All patients received systemic antibiotic therapy. Four patients underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage before operation. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (16.1%, 5/31) including 2 in the LS group and 3 in the OS group. One patient had retained calculus in the common bile duct and another had liver abscess recurrence in the OS group. No retained calculus and liver abscess recurrence occurred in the LS group. In the two groups, there was no mortality during the perioperative period. There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, postoperative complication rate and abscess recurrence rate between the two groups. Oral intake was earlier (1.9 ± 0.4 d vs 3.1 ± 0.7 d, P < 0.05) and length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter (11.3 ± 2.9 d vs 14.5 ± 3.7 d, P < 0.05) in the LS group than in the OS group.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for simultaneous treatment of PLA and biliary pathology is feasible in selected patients and the therapeutic effect is similar to that of open surgery.

Modern management of pyogenic hepatic abscess: a case series and review of the literature

Background

Pyogenic hepatic abscesses are relatively rare, though untreated are uniformly fatal. A recent paradigm shift in the management of liver abscesses, facilitated by advances in diagnostic and interventional radiology, has decreased mortality rates. The aim of this study was to review our experience in managing pyogenic liver abscess, review the literature in this field, and propose guidelines to aid in the current management of this complex disease.

Methods

Demographic and clinical details of all patients admitted to a single institution with liver abscess over a 5 year period were reviewed. Clinical presentation, aetiology, diagnostic work-up, treatment, morbidity and mortality data were collated.

Results

Over a 5 year period 11 patients presented to a single institution with pyogenic hepatic abscess (55% males, mean age 60.3 years). Common clinical features at presentation were non-specific constitutional symptoms and signs. Aetiology was predominantly gallstones (45%) or diverticular disease (27%). In addition to empiric antimicrobial therapy, all patients underwent radiologically guided percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess at diagnosis and only 2 patients required surgical intervention, including one 16-year old female who underwent hemi-hepatectomy for a complex and rare Actinomycotic abscess. There were no mortalities after minimum follow-up of one year.

Conclusions

Pyogenic liver abscesses are uncommon, and mortality has decreased over the last two decades. Antimicrobial therapy and radiological intervention form the mainstay of modern treatment. Surgical intervention should be considered for patients with large, complex, septated or multiple abscesses, underlying disease or in whom percutaneous drainage has failed.

Pyogenic liver abscess: Differences in etiology and treatment in Southeast Asia and Central Europe

Knowledge of etiology and timely treatment of underlying causes, when possible, play an important role in the successful therapy of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Recent publications from Central Europe and Southeast Asia hint at considerable differences in etiology. In this article, we aim to elaborate these differences and their therapeutic implications. Apart from some special types of PLA that are comparable in Southeast Asia and Central Europe (such as posttraumatic or postprocedural PLA), there are clear differences in the microbiological spectrum, which implies different risk factors and disease courses. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) PLA is predominantly seen in Southeast Asia, whereas, in Central Europe, PLA is typically caused by Escherichia coli, Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, and these patients are more likely to be older and to have a biliary abnormality or malignancy. K. pneumoniae patients are more likely to have diabetes mellitus. Control of septic spread is crucial in K. pneumoniae patients, whereas treatment of the underlying diseases is decisive in many Central European PLA patients.