A clinical investigation was made on 136 cases of liver abscess treated at the Kwangju Christian Hospital. as an inpatient during the 5 year period from August, 1965 to December, 1969. The results are summarized below.
1. Of the 136 cases studied, 124 (91.2%) were amebic and only 12(8.8%) were pyogenic liver abscess.
2. The disease occured more frequently in males with the, highest age incidence in the 3rd decade in amebic abscess and the 5 th decade in pyogenic abscess.
3. The disease was seen predominantly in the summer season, namely July and August in amebic abscess. However, there was no seasonal incidence in pyogenic abscess.
4. The most common complaint was pain in the right lower chest and right upper aldomen. This was seen in 91% of cases. Objective findings in order ;of frequency were Tenderness in right hypochondrium (71.3%) and hepatomegaly (66.2%).
5. The chest X-ray revealed elevation, of the right diaphragm in 90% of cases, and pneumonia in 30% of the cases.
6. Alkaline phosphatase determination was often helpful and it was elevated in 85% of cases.
7. Geographically, amebic abscess was seen predominantly in people living near the sea.
8. The total amount of pus aspirated during the -hospital; stay ranged from 2 cc to 8000 cc. Less then 500 cc was, aspirated in 57% of the cases, and ,1, 000 cc to 2, 000 cc in 22.1%
9. ´The overall motality rate was 1. 5% and both deaths Mere from, pyogenic abscesses.
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