CT Appearance of Hepatic Abscess

For further differentiation of the pyogenic and amebic liver abscess with computed tomography (CT), forty-one proven hepatic abscesses examined by CT scanning were studied retrospectively. The following results were obtained : 1) pyogenic abscess were prone to develop multiple lesions and were usually associated with biliary disorders pleural effusion and ascites. 2) amebic abscess tended to develop a single lesion or a single lesion with daughter lesions and tended to involve the caudate lobe. 3) perifocal edema and hyperemia (double wall sign) was seen only in the amebic abscess. 4) gas within the abscess was seen only in the pyogenic group. These fingings, we think, will make CT differentiation of the amebic abscess from the pyogenic liver abscess easier and more accuate.