[Clinical features of pyogenic liver abscess according to age group]

Background/Aims: Pyogenic liver abscess remains a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, despite advances in diagnostic technology and new strategies for treatment. This study was conducted to compare the differences in clinical features and outcomes of pyogenic liver abscess according to age. Methods: In total, 166 patients were enrolled and included 63 (＜65 years old, group I), 62 (65-74 years old, group II), 41 (＞75 years old, group III) patients in each group. We reviewed the medical records retrospectively including etiology, underlying diseases, characteristics of the liver abscess, laboratory and microbiologic findings, treatment, and outcome of the patients. Results: Group I had higher prevalence rates of male patients and chronic alcoholics, but lower prevalence rates of biliary disease, hypertension, and malignancy. In laboratory findings, group II had higher incidence of thrombocytopenia, elevated blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. There were no differences in symptoms and microbiologic findings in blood and pus among the three groups. Liver abscesses were more common in right liver in Group I. The lengths of stay and the treatment modalities were similar in three groups. Conclusions: Although there were differences in sex ratio, etiology, underlying disease among the different age groups, they did not cause difference in treatment and clinical outcome of pyogenic liver abscess. Thus, we recommend active treatments in patients of all age. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2010;56:90-96)