Indications for needle aspiration in liver abscess are :
Ans. is 'b' i.e. left lobe The abscesses referred to in this question are amebic abscesses and not pyogenic abscesses as drainage is indicated in every pyogenic abscess. The mainstay of treatment for amebic abscesses is metronidazole which is curative in over 90% of pts. Clinical improvement is seen within 3 days. Aspiration is only recommended for following conditions - for diagnostic unceainity - for failure to respond to therapy in 3 to 5 days (5 to 7 days according to Maingot's) - abscesses with high risk to rupture (abscess > 5 cms, left lobe abscess) - pyogenic superinfection
Recurrent
Left lobe
Refractory to treatment after 48-72 hrs.
> 10 cms size