Successful Treatment of Acute Empyema Due to Rupture of Pyogenic Liver Abscess

: Cases of rescue after rupture of pyogenic liver abscess into the thorax are rare. Here, we report 2 cases of rescue in patients with acute empyema due to rupture of a suppurative abscess into the thorax. Case 1:A 61-year-old male had high fever of 39 °C and right abdominal pain. Thoracic computed tomography(CT) showed encapsulated pleural effusion in the right thorax and ring-like enhancement in the right liver. The diagnosis was acute empyema caused by rupture of liver abscess. The pathogenic bacteria were Streptococcus group. The drain was removed after 6 days and the patient was discharged 32 days after surgery without reefing the diaphragm. Case 2:A 74-year-old male had a high fever of 39 °C and right chest pain. CT showed encapsulated pleural effusion in the right thorax, but not in the lung, and a low density area in the posterior segment of the liver. The diagnosis was acute empyema caused by rupture of liver abscess. The pathogenic bacteria were Streptococcus group and Bacteroides. The drain was removed after 8 days and the patient was discharged 32 days after surgery without reefing the diaphragm. CONCLUSION: Pathogenic bacteria in a pyogenic liver abscess are usually Gram-negative rods, but recently have also been reported to be Streptococcus anginosus group( SAG). Coinfection with SAG and anaerobic bacteria occurs in elderly patients, compromised hosts, and patients with a severe malignant disease. Therefore, early drainage using surgical treatment regardless of reefing the diaphragm should be considered to control severe infection due to liver abscess rupture.