[Pyogenic hepatic abscess: report of 51 cases]

Pyogenic hepatic abscesses are uncommon. We report our findings in 51 patients with pyogenic liver abscess treated from 1975 through 1992. Twenty-eight patients were men and twenty-three were women. The median age of patients was 46 years (range, 13 to 77 years). Fever was present in 100% of patients, abdominal pain in 58.8% and jaundice in 39.2%. Twenty eight patients (54.9%) had leukocytosis; 45% hyperbilirrubinemia and 35.3% a high serum level of alkaline phosphatase. The most common cause of abscesses was biliary tract disease (66%). Thirty-three (64.7%) were surgically treated and thirteen underwent percutaneous drainage with 90.4% and 69.2% of good results, respectively. Mortality was 9.6% in the surgical group and 0% in the percutaneously drained group. A review of literature of this condition and a discussion about the diagnosis, treatment and etiopathogenesis are presented.