Liver abscess: catheter drainage v/s needle aspiration

Liver abscesses are infectious, space-occupying lesions in the liver; the two most common abscesses being pyogenic and amoebic. Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) is a rare but potentially lethal condition; its severity depends on the source of the infection and the underlying condition of the patient. Amoebic Liver Abscesses (ALA) are common in tropical regions mainly where ‘Entamoeba histolytica’ is endemic and is more prevalent in individuals (mostly young males) with suppressed cell mediated immunity. 3 Right lobe of the liver is the most likely site of infection in both type of liver abscesses. The clinical presentation of both the types may be elusive with combination of fever, right upper quadrant pain and hepatomegaly with or without jaundice.