Liver abscess may result from peritonitis and bowel leakage via portal circulation, direct spread from biliary disease or from hematogenous seeding.
Classical presentation includes fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant symptoms (pain, guarding, rocking and rebound tenderness).
Biliary tract disease is the most common cause of bacterial liver abscess.
Most pyogenic liver abscesses are polymicrobial (eg enteric facultative and anaerobic species).