Complications of pyogenic hepatic abscess: computed tomography and clinical features

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the computed tomography (CT) and clinical findings of the various complications of pyogenic hepatic abscesses. The CT and clinical findings of 81 patients who had a confirmed pyogenic hepatic abscess were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 81 patients, 21 cases of various complications from the pyogenic hepatic abscesses were encountered in 17 patients (21%). Two types of complications were observed in 4 patients. These complications included rupture into the pericardial cavity (n = 1), pleuropulmonary complications (n = 11), rupture into the gastrointestinal tract (n = 1), rupture into the peritoneal cavity (n = 3), rupture into the retroperitoneum (n = 1), vascular complications (n = 3), and biliary complications (n = 1). A knowledge of these complications is important for an early diagnosis and appropriate management.