Audit of management of pyogenic liver abscess in a tertiary referral hospital

Aim: To review the management and clinical outcomes of patients with pyogenic liver abscess in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the management of patients with a diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess in Queen Elizabeth Hospital from 2000 to 2004. Results: From 2000 to 2004, 143 patients with a diagnosis of pyogenic liver abscess were managed in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Procedure-related complications were 6/143 (4%). The success rate from percutaneous intervention was 122/143 (85%). The overall in-hospital mortality was 18/143 (13%). Mean hospital stay was 30.1 days and the median was 23 days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis on risk factors for in-hospital mortality showed high white cell count, large size abscess and prolonged activated prothrombin time as independent risk factors. Conclusion: In the present series, high white cell count, large size abscess and prolonged activated prothrombin time predicted poor outcomes in patients with pyogenic liver abscess.