Liver abscess

An abscess is formed by the body's localised reaction to invasion by a foreign organism, usually a bacterium. There is a collection of white blood cells - called pus - surrounded by a wall of inflammatory tissue. In the liver abscesses (which are common in the tropics and the developing world) usually arise as a consequence of infection elsewhere in the abdomen, such as in diverticulitis (see the large intestine) or as a result of infection with the agent entamoeba histolytica. The treatment is eradication of the underlying organism and drainage as required, which may be performed using a needle under ultrasound guidance.
 
 
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