LIVER ABSCESS ON CECT


🦠 CT Imaging of Liver Abscess – Key Signs Every Radiographer Should Know

📌 Introduction

Liver abscess is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Radiological imaging, especially contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), plays a critical role in early detection and management. This article will walk you through the key CT features of liver abscess, its types, and what radiographers should look out for.

🧫 What is a Liver Abscess?

A liver abscess is a localized collection of pus within the liver parenchyma caused by infection. It can be:

  • Pyogenic (bacterial origin)
  • Amoebic (caused by Entamoeba histolytica)
  • Fungal (less common, usually in immunocompromised patients)

🖼️ CT Imaging Findings

Here's a contrast-enhanced axial CT image showing a typical liver abscess (indicated by the red arrow):

![Liver Abscess CT](upload the CT image with arrow here in your blog)


Key features on CT:

  • Hypodense lesion (low attenuation)
  • Thick or irregular walls
  • Central necrosis or fluid density
  • Peripheral rim enhancement (on post-contrast phase)
  • May cause mass effect on adjacent structures
  • Sometimes associated with gas formation (in pyogenic abscess)

🩺 Clinical Presentation

Patients usually present with:

  • High-grade fever
  • Right upper quadrant abdominal pain
  • Malaise or fatigue
  • Hepatomegaly (sometimes)

Lab Findings:

  • Elevated WBC count
  • Elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
  • Mildly increased bilirubin (sometimes)

💉 Role of Radiographer (Most important)

As a radiographer, your role includes:

  • Ensuring proper contrast phases (arterial, venous, delayed if needed)
  • Identifying key signs like rim enhancement, gas bubbles
  • Assisting in CT-guided aspiration or drainage
  • Educating and reassuring patients during imaging

🧪 Treatment Overview

  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics
  • CT-guided/USG-guided aspiration or percutaneous catheter drainage
  • Surgery (only in severe or non-responsive cases)

🎯 Conclusion

Liver abscess is a radiologically visible and treatable pathology. Timely identification on CT scans can significantly reduce complications. As a radiographer or radiology student, learning to recognize these classic imaging patterns is crucial for patient care...

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