Intrahepatic abscesses: amebic and pyogenic

Of forty patients studied with intrahepatic abscesses between 1951 and 1971, twenty-one had amebic and nineteen had pyogenic abscesses. Amebic abscess is treated by parenteral use of emetine and aspiration of the abscess. Open drainage is undesirable in an uncomplicated case of amebic abscess. Pyogenic abscess is treated by adequate drainage of the purulent material without contamination of the peritoneal and pleural cavities.