[Hepatic abscess. Diagnostic approach and therapeutic orientation]

The paper examines the cases of 7 patients affected by pyogenic liver abscesses who had been brought to the authors' attention over the last 6 years; 2 of whom presented multiple and 5 single abscesses: 4 were located on the right lobe and 1 on the left lobe. The extent of the pathology, its morbidity and mortality necessitate special attention during the diagnostic path in order to discover the origin. CAT and above all ultrasonography have proved to be indispensable tests. The therapeutic approach, which has been compared with previously published data, has eclectically benefited from both antibiotic treatment, used for multiple abscesses, and the insertion of echo-guided drainage, when general conditions do not permit surgical intervention. In the case of liver abscesses whose origin is evident, surgical drainage remains the obligatory choice, whereas, in the authors' opinion, resective surgery is perhaps out of proportion to this type of disease.