Image guided percutaneous splenic interventions

AIM: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of image-guided percutaneous splenic interventions as diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of our interventional records from July 2001 to June 2006. Ninety-five image-guided percutaneous splenic interventions were performed after informed consent in 89 patients: 64 men and 25 women who ranged in age from 5 months to 71 years (mean, 38.4 years) under ultrasound (n=93) or CT (n=2) guidance. The procedures performed were fine needle aspiration biopsy of focal splenic lesions (n=78) and aspiration (n=10) or percutaneous catheter drainage of a splenic abscess (n=7). RESULTS: Splenic fine needle aspiration biopsy was successful in 62 (83.78%) of 74 patients with benign lesions diagnosed in 43 (58.1%) and malignancy in 19 (25.67%) patients. The most common pathologies included tuberculosis (26 patients, 35.13%) and lymphoma (14 patients, 18.91%). Therapeutic aspiration or pigtail catheter drainage was successful in all (100%) patients. There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Image-guided splenic fine needle aspiration biopsy is a safe and accurate technique that can provide a definitive diagnosis in most patients with focal lesions in the spleen. This study also suggests that image-guided percutaneous aspiration or catheter drainage of splenic abscesses is a safe and effective alternative to surgery.     

US-guided transvaginal drainage of pelvic abscesses and fluid collections

Ultrasound (US)-guided transvaginal needle or catheter drainage was performed in 14 women for a variety of pelvic abscesses and fluid collections; tubo-ovarian abscesses and postoperative collections were most common. Diagnosis was achieved in all 14 patients (100%), including one patient with suspected ovarian carcinoma who underwent only diagnostic needle aspiration and no therapeutic drainage. Abscesses or fluid collections were evacuated in 13 of 13 patients (100%) with either needle (n = 7) or catheter (n = 6) drainage (with appropriate antibiotics). Twelve of the 14 patients (86%) were spared an operation; surgery was undertaken in two patients for a persistent tubo-ovarian phlegmon. No major complications were associated with drainage. Catheters were removed an average of 6.7 days after insertion. The success, safety, and advantages of US-guided transvaginal drainage in our early experience suggest its use as an alternative to standard percutaneous catheter procedures to diagnose and drain certain pelvic abscesses and fluid collections.     

US-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage as an alternative to open surgical drainage for uniloculated neck abscesses

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage as an alternative to open surgical drainage of uniloculated neck abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients (11 female, four male; age range from 18 days to 78 years, mean 42.5 y +/- 22.4) diagnosed with deep neck infections associated with uniloculated neck abscesses were treated. The patients were originally scheduled for surgical incision and drainage after a period of unsuccessful treatment with antibiotics. US-guided needle aspiration (in 10 patients) and US-guided catheter drainage (in five patients) were performed under local anesthesia. Open surgical drainage was performed when US-guided drainage procedures failed. RESULTS: Surgical open drainage was avoided in 13 of the 15 patients (87%). An average of 6 mL of pus was obtained in patients in the needle aspiration group and 140 mL of pus was drained by catheter. One patient had a recurrent pyogenic lymphadenitis at the same location and was treated successfully by repeated needle aspiration. No complications occurred in this study. CONCLUSION: In a selected group of patients without imminent airway obstruction, most uniloculated neck abscesses may be managed initially by US-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage before resorting to open surgical drainage.     

Percutaneous abdominal and pelvic interventional procedures using CT fluoroscopy guidance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the use of low-milliamperage CT fluoroscopy guidance for percutaneous abdominopelvic biopsy and therapeutic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records and relevant imaging studies of 97 patients who underwent 119 percutaneous CT fluoroscopy-guided abdominal or pelvic procedures: fluid collection aspiration or drainage catheter insertion (n = 59), biopsy (n = 49), hepatocellular carcinoma ethanol ablation (n = 6), chemoneurolysis (n = 4), and brachytherapy catheter insertion (n = 1). These procedures were guided using a helical CT scanner providing real-time fluoroscopy reconstruction at six frames per second. A control panel and video monitor beside the gantry allowed direct operator control during all interventional procedures. RESULTS: One hundred twelve (94.1%) procedures were successfully performed using either a stand-off needle holder and continuous real-time CT fluoroscopy guidance or incremental manual insertion and intermittent CT fluoroscopy to confirm position. Image quality using low milliamperage was adequate for needle or drainage tube placement in all but two low-contrast liver lesions. Two hematomas were accessed but yielded no fluid on aspiration; one drainage procedure was abandoned after the patient developed endotoxic shock. Imaging of ethanol distribution during injection facilitated tumor ablation and neurolytic procedures. CT fluoroscopy allowed rapid assessment of needle, guidewire, dilator, and catheter placement, especially in nonaxial planes. Average CT fluoroscopy time for biopsy and therapeutic procedures was 133 sec (range, 35-336 sec) and 186 sec (range, 20-660 sec), respectively. CONCLUSION: CT fluoroscopy is a practical clinical tool that facilitates effective performance of percutaneous abdominal and pelvic interventional procedures.     

Complicated pancreatic inflammatory disease: diagnostic and therapeutic role of interventional radiology

Diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiology techniques in 41 patients with complications of pancreatic inflammatory disease (noninfected pseudocyst, infected pseudocyst, phlegmon, abscess, hemorrhagic pancreatitis) are described. Computed tomography or ultrasound-guided aspiration or percutaneous pancreatic ductography enabled specific diagnoses in 43 of 45 patients (96%). In almost half the patients, diagnostic aspiration with 22-gauge needles was unsuccessful due to viscous contents or firm cavity walls. Single-step needle aspiration of noninfected pseudocysts was successful in only three of ten patients (30%). Catheter drainage cured six of seven noninfected pseudocysts (85.7%) and seven of nine infected pseudocysts (77.7%). Pancreatic phlegmons were aspirated in five patients to exclude secondary infection and help determine the need for surgery. Pancreatic abscesses were drained successfully in nine of 13 patients (69.2%); temporizing benefit was achieved in the other four who eventually underwent surgery in improved condition. Early diagnosis of the complications of pancreatitis may be established almost uniformly, and at least 70% of patients with infected or noninfected pseudocysts and pancreatic abscesses may be cured by nonoperative drainage.     

超声引导经皮穿刺治疗乳腺脓肿的临床应用

目的评价超声引导下经皮穿刺治疗乳腺脓肿的临床应用价值。方法在超声引导下,对诊断为乳腺脓肿的病人采用经皮穿刺脓肿抽吸法及脓腔置管引流法进行治疗。结果 45例病人共有54个脓肿,22个最大径≤3 cm的脓肿采用脓肿抽吸法治愈21例,1例改行脓腔置管引流后治愈;32个最大径>3 cm的脓肿实施脓腔置管引流法,治愈30例,切开引流2例。随访41例,复发4例,2例再次行脓腔置管引流治愈,另2例行脓肿切开引流治愈。结论超声引导下穿刺抽吸治疗不超过3 cm的乳腺脓肿与置管引流治疗超过3 cm的乳腺脓肿均是有效的治疗手段。     

CT-guided percutaneous drainage and fluid aspiration in intensive care patients.

Fifty-two intensive care unit (ICU) patients with clinical signs of sepsis who were considered to be at extremely high risk for operation were subjected to CT-guided interventions. Bedside ultrasound (US) had been performed prior to CT in all patients but diagnoses were equivocal or US-guided interventions had failed. Nineteen patients solely underwent CT-guided diagnostic aspiration of fluid collections to rule out infection. Eighteen patients (72%) with abscess formations after surgery or trauma were cured by catheter drainage alone; 4 patients required additional surgery. Out of 8 patients suffering from acute pancreatitis (after several necrosectomies), abscesses could be cured in 5 (62.5%). Three patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (no surgery) were not cured by the interventional procedure and all required surgical debridement. Even patients who required additional surgery after drainage improved clinically after the interventional radiologic procedure. Our overall success rate was 64%, emphasizing the need for CT in the case of equivocal US results or if US-guided procedures have failed in ICU patients with signs of sepsis.     

Morphologic aspects of hepatic abscesses at computed tomography and ultrasound

The morphologic criteria of hepatic abscesses as demonstrated at computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) were investigated in 27 patients and the diagnostic efficiency of both methods evaluated. Different appearances of hepatic abscess at CT and US were observed and investigated. No specific morphologic signs could be defined, since malignant neoplasms may show similar findings. Therefore, fine needle aspiration of possible hepatic abscesses should be performed to provide specific and bacteriologic diagnosis. US is an accurate method to evaluate patients with possible hepatic abscess. However, CT should be preferred in critically ill patients and postoperatively, since the diagnostic accuracy of CT is not limited by bowel gas, sutures and drainage tubes.     

Interventional radiology in the spleen

Despite the widespread use of interventional radiologic techniques, there has been reluctance to apply these to the spleen. Concern for bleeding and difficulty in negotiating around the colon and pleura have limited its use. The authors report their experience with interventional radiology of the spleen in 35 cases, including percutaneous biopsy (n = 5), diagnostic and therapeutic fluid aspiration (n = 14), and catheter drainage of abscesses (n = 9), hematomas (n = 2), intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocysts (n = 2), and necrotic tumor (n = 1). Transsplenic fluid aspiration and biopsy of the pancreas and adrenal gland were performed as well (n = 2). All procedures were performed under computed tomographic or ultrasound guidance. Biopsies were performed with 22- or 20-gauge needles only; no complications were encountered. Diagnoses included primary and secondary malignancies and an infectious process. Drainages were successful in 11 of 14 patients; pleural effusions occurred in two cases, but neither required specific therapy. Interventional radiologic procedures in the spleen are feasible, and the authors discuss methods to promote their safe application.     

Interventional ultrasound in the musculoskeletal system

This article highlights the multiple applications of ultrasound as a guidance modality for interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system. The percutaneous aspiration, drainage, and biopsy of musculoskeletal abscesses, masses, and focal muscular pathology in the extremities, trunk, and neck using ultrasound as the guidance system is described. Techniques for biopsy, fluid aspiration, catheter insertion, and needle visualization by ultrasound are discussed.     

Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures in splenic abscesses

The results of ultrasound (US)-guided interventional procedures over a period of 12 years in 21 consecutive patients with splenic abscess were reviewed. The interventional procedures were done with 21- or 18-gauge needles for aspiration of relatively small abscesses (<3.5 cm) in eight patients and with an 8.3–9.0 French pigtail catheter for continuous drainage in 13 patients with larger abscesses (≥3.5 cm). In some patients, multiple abscesses were treated separately according to their various sizes. More than one catheterization were done in three patients because of detached catheter or recurrent abscesses. The interventional procedures were followed by at least eight weeks of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Only one patient had the complication of minimal subcapsular hematoma which needed no further treatment. All the patients had uneventful clinical courses. US-guided interventional procedure proved to be a treatment-of-choice for splenic abscess, and may avoid splenectomy by conserving the spleen.     

Sonographic guidance in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the pleural space

One hundred eighty-seven diagnostic and therapeutic interventional procedures in the pleural space were performed by using sonographic guidance. These consisted of diagnostic aspiration (118), drainage of malignant and nonmalignant effusions (41), empyema drainage (17), pleural sclerotherapy with tetracycline or bleomycin (7), and pleural biopsy (4). Diagnostic aspiration was performed with 20-gauge needles, and therapeutic and empyema drainages were performed by trocar technique with either a 7-French Sacks catheter or a specially designed empyema drainage catheter. Pneumothoraces were seen in 3% of the patients, and most of these were treated by the radiologist with placement of a Heimlich valve. We conclude that the use of sonography allows rapid localization of pleural fluid collections and instant monitoring of drainage of noninfected fluid collections and empyemas.     

Pinpoint CT立体定位激光导引系统的临床应用价值

目的：介绍Pinpoint立体定位激光导引系统在介入穿刺活检中的操作方法、经验体会及临床应用价值。方法：采用Marconi公司生产的PQ－6000高档螺旋CT主体扫描仪，在Pinpoint立体定位激光导引下对43例胸、腹部肿块患者实施经皮穿刺活检。结果：精确的三维立体激光定位使整个穿刺过程既轻松又安全，全部患者在Pinpoint系统的导引下均顺利地完成了穿刺活检手术，其穿刺准确率100％，活检成功率95.3%。结论：高档螺旋CT上配置Pinpoint3D立体激光定位系统是一种有避免射线损伤又可提高经皮穿刺精确性、安全性的理想导引技术，对提高临床诊断、治疗效果有广泛的应用价值。     

Ultrasound-guided endocavitary drainage of pelvic abscesses: technique,results and complications

AIM: To evaluate the experience in our institution with ultrasound-guided transrectal and transvaginal (endocavitary) drainage of pelvic abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (four male, 14 female; mean age 55 years, range 30-78 years) presenting with pelvic abscesses were referred to our institution for therapeutic drainage over a 4 year period. Patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to drainage, which was performed by either the transvaginal or transrectal route under ultrasound guidance. Patients were given sedo-analgesia in the form of midazolam and fentanyl and local anaesthesia was also employed. Eight French catheters were inserted into the abscess cavities, and patients were subsequently monitored on a daily basis by a member of the interventional radiology team until such time as it was deemed appropriate to remove the catheter. RESULTS: Eighteen catheters were placed in 17 patients, and transvaginal aspiration alone was performed in one patient. Drainage was successful in 16 of 17 patients, but a transgluteal approach was ultimately required in the remaining patient to enable passage of a larger catheter into an infected haematoma. The mean duration of drainage was 5 days, mean time to defervesce 2 days. Spontaneous catheter dislodgement occurred in four patients associated with straining, but this did not have any adverse effect in three of the four patients. CONCLUSION: Endocavitary drainage is an effective method of treatment for pelvic abscesses. Spontaneous catheter dislodgement does not affect patient outcome.     

Lymphoceles: imaging characteristics and percutaneous management

Twenty-five patients who had lymphoceles underwent sectional imaging and interventional radiologic procedures. Viewed using sonography, lymphoceles were hypoechoic to anechoic, occasionally with internal septa and debris. Low numbers (occasionally negative values) were observed using computed tomography (CT); these numbers strongly suggest the diagnosis of lymphocele. Calcification was observed on CT images of one patient. Diagnostic aspiration revealed tan to yellow fluid containing many lymphocytes; pathognomonic fat globules were observed in four cases. Malignant cells were found in two collections, an unusual occurrence. Therapeutic needle aspiration and short-term catheter drainage were usually unsuccessful (only one of five patients [20%] was cured). Long-term (1-5-week) catheter drainage cured 11 of 14 patients (78.6%). Sclerosing agents may have been beneficial for lymphocele obliteration in three of four patients. For most patients, lymphoceles may be diagnosed and treated successfully using radiologic means.     

Interventional computed tomography

Due to the development and refinement of computed tomography (CT), sonography, and interventional techniques, the field of interventional radiology has seen tremendous growth in recent years. In particular, the precise anatomic detail provided by CT and sonography has allowed percutaneous biopsies and abscess drainages to be performed safely and effectively. Percutaneous biopsies are now becoming the most common interventional radiographic procedures in many institutions. The usual indications for a biopsy are to determine the etiology of a mass, neoplasm, or inflammation, and to determine whether masses in known oncologic patients represent scarring or residual viable tumor. Accuracy rates for most percutaneous CT-directed biopsies are well over 90%, and the complication rate is very low. CT-directed percutaneous abscess drainages are also safe and effective and, in most cases, will be preferable to surgical drainage. The initial indications for percutaneous drainage (single, unilocular fluid collections) have been greatly expanded to include multiloculated collections, interloop abscesses, periappendiceal abscesses, and even percutaneous cholecystotomies. Biopsy and drainage procedures, together with their accuracy rates, indications and complications, are reviewed in this monograph.     

Percutaneous drainage of periappendiceal abscesses: review of 20 patients

Twenty patients with periappendiceal abscesses diagnosed by CT underwent percutaneous catheter drainage. Eighteen (90%) of the 20 patients were successfully treated by percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy alone. In two of these patients, however, small recurrent abscesses were diagnosed by CT 4 and 6 weeks after drainage, but these abscesses resolved with additional antibiotic therapy. Surgery was performed in two patients in whom percutaneous drainage failed. One was a diabetic patient who had a gas-forming abscess that extended into the posterior pararenal space. Surgery was necessary in a second patient because of a technical failure of catheter insertion, which resulted in perforation of the abscess cavity and peritonitis. Abscess sinograms in eight (44%) of 18 patients showed fistulas between the abscess cavity and the base of the cecum or appendix. However, the fistulas did not pose a problem in clinical management, and all closed within 14 days. Percutaneous drainage is an effective alternative to surgery in selected patients with periappendiceal abscesses.     

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of primary and secondary iliopsoas abscesses

AIM: To report our experience with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of iliopsoas abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two iliopsoas abscesses in 21 patients (11 women, 10 men) aged between 18 and 66 years (mean 36 years) were treated with PCD. Abdominal CT demonstrated the iliopsoas abscesses, which were definitively determined by Gram staining and aspirate cultures. Twenty of the 22 iliopsoas abscesses were primary and two were secondary. All PCD procedures were performed under local anaesthesia using a single-step trocar technique (n=19) or Seldinger technique (n=3). RESULTS: PCD was an effective treatment in 21 out of the 22 iliopsoas abscesses. Recurrence was seen in three abscesses as minimal residual collections. Two of them resolved spontaneously with anti-tuberculous regimen. One required percutaneous needle aspiration. The procedure failed in a diabetic patient with a secondary abscess, who died due to sepsis. The length of time that catheters remained in place ranged from 21 to 75 days (mean 59.7 days). Complications included catheter dislocation in four abscesses, which required removal of dislocated catheters and indwelling new ones. CONCLUSION: CT-guided PCD is a safe and effective front-line treatment of iliopsoas abscesses. Surgery should be reserved for failure of PCD and presence of contraindications to PCD.     

Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscesses: an effective and safe procedure.

Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscesses has not yet become a common procedure due to the potential risk of bleeding and the danger of damage to neighbouring organs. We present our experience of percutaneous drainage in eight patients with splenic abscesses. Four patients were treated by therapeutic percutaneous needle aspiration of the fluid collection, and four by percutaneous trocar catheter insertion. All procedures were guided by ultrasound or computed tomography. The procedure was successful in all eight patients with no complications.     

超声引导下肝脓肿介入治疗的临床研究

目的 :比较超声引导下针刺抽吸术与置管引流术在肝脓肿治疗中的优劣。方法 :将 30例肝脓肿患者随机分组 ,针刺抽吸组 15例 ,置管引流组 15例 ,针刺抽吸组最多行两次抽吸 ,第二次抽吸失败后改为量管引流 ,此类患者不包括在置管引流组。观察比较两组患者治疗结果、住院天数及并发症等 ,每 3天行超声检查。结果 :针刺抽吸组有效率6 6 6 7% ,置管引流组有效率 10 0 % ,有效治愈患者中 ,两种方法临床进展 (局部症状及体征缓解、体温下降、白细胞数正常 )所需平均时间及住院平均天数相似 (P >0 0 5 ) ,尽管针刺抽吸组脓腔直径由原来减小 5 0 %所需时间明显多于置管引流组 (13天 /6天 ) (P 0 0 5 ) ,但两组患者脓腔完全或近乎完全消失所需平均时间相似 (P >0 0 5 ) ,两组患者都未见主要并发症。结论 :从脓腔缩小 5 0 %所需时间及有效率来说 ,置管引流较针刺抽吸更有效。