Abscesos hepáticos: análisis retrospectivo de 68 casos / Liver abscess: retrospective review of 68 cases

Objetivos: Conocer las características clínicas y de las pruebas complementarias de pacientes con abscesos hepáticos (AH) y establecer factores pronósticos. Pacientes y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de AH en el Hospital Severo Ochoa, entre 1989 y 2005. Resultados: Se recogieron 68 pacientes: 39 hombres y 29 mujeres; incidencia: 26 casos/100.000 ingresos hospitalarios; edad (Me): 63 años. El origen fue: biliar (37%), portal (16%), por diseminación hematógena (7%), por inoculación directa (4%), desconocido (35%). La ecografía fue diagnóstica en 43% de casos y la tomografía computarizada en 57%. Los AH fueron mayores a 3 cm de diámetro en 62% de casos y en 28% fueron AH múltiples. Fueron positivos 71% de cultivos de pus y 52% de hemocultivos. Se aisló el germen causal en 73,5% de AH. Se realizó antibioterapia en 100% de pacientes, drenaje percutáneo en 56% y cirugía en 25%. Evolución: 13% de complicaciones, 9% de recidivas y 19% de mortalidad. Conclusiones: Cuadro clínico mal definido del AH. Factores asociados a complicaciones: enfermedad neurológica o tumoral abdominal, previas y AH múltiples. Factores asociados a mortalidad: índice de comorbilidad de Charlson corregido por la edad > 5, índice de Quick < 60% y aparición de complicaciones. Es necesario individualizar la indicación de drenaje en cada paciente

Objetive: To assess clinical and laboratory features of patients with liver abscesses (LA), and determine prognostic features. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients receiving a diagnosis of LA in the Hospital Severo Ochoa, between 1989-2005. Results: We were able to find 68 patients: 39 males and 29 females; the incidence amounts 26 cases/100,000 hospital admissions; mean age 63 years. A biliary source accounted for 37%, 16% were of portal origin, 7% were ascribed to hematogenous dissemination, 4% direct inoculation during a procedure and no cause could be found in 35%. Liver ultrasonography allowed diagnosis in 43% of cases, and CT scan un 57%. Sixty-two percent of LA were larger than 3 cm in diameter; 28% of cases had multiple abscesses. Cultures of abscess fluid were positive in 71%,and blood cultures in 52%. Globally, we were able to isolate the causal microorganism in 73.5% of cases. Hundred percent of patients received antimicrobials, 56% had percutaneous drainage performed and 25% were surgically managed. There were complications in 13%, 9% suffered recurrences and we found a 19% mortality rate. Conclusions: LA has an ill-defined clinical picture. A history of neurological disease or abdominal tumor, and multiple LA are associated with an increased complication rate. Following factors correlated with increased mortality: Age-adjusted Charlson’s morbidity index >=5; Quick index < 60% and development of complications. Drainage indication has to be individualized

[Liver abscess: retrospective review of 68 cases]. / Abscesos hepáticos: análisis retrospectivo de 68 casos.

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical and laboratory features of patients with liver abscesses (LA), and determine prognostic features. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients receiving a diagnosis of LA in the Hospital Severo Ochoa, between 1989-2005. RESULTS: We were able to find 68 patients: 39 males and 29 females; the incidence amounts 26 cases/100,000 hospital admissions; mean age 63 years. A biliary source accounted for 37%, 16% were of portal origin, 7% were ascribed to hematogenous dissemination, 4% direct inoculation during a procedure and no cause could be found in 35%. Liver ultrasonography allowed diagnosis in 43% of cases, and CT scan un 57%. Sixty-two percent of LA were larger than 3 cm in diameter; 28% of cases had multiple abscesses. Cultures of abscess fluid were positive in 71%, and blood cultures in 52%. Globally, we were able to isolate the causal microorganism in 73.5% of cases. Hundred percent of patients received antimicrobials, 56% had percutaneous drainage performed and 25% were surgically managed. There were complications in 13%, 9% suffered recurrences and we found a 19% mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: LA has an ill-defined clinical picture. A history of neurological disease or abdominal tumor, and multiple LA are associated with an increased complication rate. Following factors correlated with increased mortality: Age-adjusted Charlson's morbidity index > or =5; Quick index < 60% and development of complications. Drainage indication has to be individualized.