Introduction: Liver abscess occur as encapsulated collection of suppurative material in the liver parenchyma. The infective etiology may be bacterial, parasitic, and fungal. It is a common condition across the globe. The aim was to study the clinical profile, microbiological aetiology, and investigation profile and treatment outcomes in patients with liver abscess.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted from year Aug 2014 to Aug 2016 on 50 consecutive liver abscess patients at tertiary care Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Medical records were analysed for clinical features, examination findings, laboratory investigations, radiological tests, microbiological analysis and treatment modalities. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results: The mean age of patients was 41.64 years. Majority were male alcoholics. The abscesses were commonly in right lobe (72%) and solitary (78%). Abscesses were predominantly amoebic in 94%. Percutaneous needle aspiration was done in 16%, pigtail drainage in 70% and surgical intervention for rupture in 4% patients. Mortality was 2% with all death reported in surgical group.

Conclusions: Amoebic liver abscess is more common than pyogenic liver abscess. Commonly occurs in young alcoholic males. Most common presenting feature is pain abdomen followed by fever. Most common sign include tender hepatomegaly. Ultrasound abdomen is useful not only in diagnosis and intervention but also in the follow up of the condition and to assess resolution.