Emphysematous liver abscess in a 58-year-old woman

Chin-Chuan Hsu and Wei-Jing Lee present details on a 58-year-old woman with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency department after five days of fever, malaise, cough and epigastric pain. Emphysematous liver abscesses are responsible for 6%-24% of bacterial liver abscesses, the most common pathogen is K pneumoniae. Emphysematous liver abscesses are closely associated with poorly controlled diabetes, as hyperglycemia may promote gas production by enhancing the glucose metabolism of the microorganism. Such abscesses can usually be diagnosed using ultrasonography, abdominal radiography or computed tomography. They may be fatal if not promptly treated. Treatment is by antibiotics, transcutaneous drainage and intensive glucose control in diabetes, with surgery considered in those who develop peritonitis after abscess rupture.