Since Hippocrates described about the hepatic abscess there were numerous reports on the hepatic abscess in the world.
the abscess of liver is a considerable interest, important and relatively common in Korea. Following the advent of antibiotics and advanced development of chemotheraphy the incidence of hepatic abscess has decreased along with its mortality but the diagnosis and management of liver abscess remain one of the
persistent problems, and there is a few reports of a systemic study of th hepatic abscess presenting this problems in Korea since Ludlow 1923.
The purpose of this study is to provide a statistical analysis of this problem and a knowledge of the clinical behaviour of the hepatic abscess in Korea.
This study is based on analysis of 178 patients with hepatic abscess adminiteed to the Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center from July, 1955 to June, 1970 and a review of the literature.
1. Among 178 cases of the hepatic abscess, 76(42.7%) were pyogenic abscess and 102(57.3%) were amebic abscess.
2. In both groups of abscesses male outnumbered female in a 5:1 ratio.
3. The peak age incidence for both groups came in the 4th and 3rd decade.
4. The most common clinical manifestations were pain and tenderness over R.U.Q., hepatomegaly, fever and chills in both groups.
5. Positive roentgenologic findings on admission were present in 75% of both groups.
6. Liver scanning showed cold area suggestive of liver abscess in 44 cases of 45 hepatic abscess(97.8%).
7. The right lobe of liver was involved in 88.2% of the pyogenic and 94.1% of the amebic abscess.
8. In direct smear and culture studies the pus was found to be sterile in 27.6% of the pyogenic abscess and the most frequently found organisms were E. coli and staphylococcus.
9. In the amebic abscess ameba was found in the pus in 15.7% and only 11.8% had cysts in their stools.
10. The incidence of complications was 11.8% in the pyogenic and 18.6% in the amebic abscess.
11. The mortally rate was 7.3% in boty groups. 9.2% in the pyogenic and 5.8% in the amebic abscess.