Comprehensive approach to CT-guided procedures with a hand-held guidance device

A technically successful biopsy or drainage procedure performed with computed tomographic (CT) guidance depends on two essential elements: determination of the correct entry point on the patient and placement of the biopsy needle or trocar drainage catheter along a predetermined track. A hand-held guidance device was used in conjunction with the lighting system on the CT scanner and measurements obtained from CT images to achieve this goal in 40 patients. The approach minimized trauma to the patient and decreased the time required for CT.     

Percutaneous biopsy and drainage procedures in the abdomen using a modified coaxial technique

A modified coaxial technique for biopsy and drainage procedures in the abdomen is described. This technique involves initial placement of a 23-gauge needle into an abdominal organ or mass. Once proper position is obtained, the hub of the needle is removed and a 19-gauge or larger needle is placed over the 23-gauge needle. Through this larger needle, either multiple biopsies are performed or guidewire exchange for a larger catheter is accomplished. The technique was used in performance of seven biopsy procedures, one biliary drainage procedure, and three nephrostomies.     

Percutaneous catheter drainage of abdominal abscesses guided by ultrasound and computed tomography.

Ultrasonography and computed tomography were used to diagnose, localize, and guide the percutaneous drainage of 24 intraabdominal and retroperitoneal abscesses in 23 surgical and medical inpatients 16 of whom had abscess formation as a postoperative complication. On the basis of anatomic detail from sectional imaging, safe percutaneous drainage routes similar to surgical approaches were defined. After confirmation by needle aspiration, one of two methods of percutaneous catheter introduction were used: (1) a modified Seldinger technique for placement of an 8 French pigtail catheter and (2) a trocar catheter technique for placement of a 12 or 16 French catheter. Once in position, the catheters were managed as a surgically placed drain. In 22 of 24 cases, percutaneous catheter drainage was curative with no surgery required. There were no deaths or recurrences with an average follow-up period of 12 months ranging from 1 week to 3 years. Percutaneous aspiration and drainage should be considered as an alternative to surgery in the treatment of intraabdominal or retroperitoneal abscess.     

A modified procedure for percutaneous abscess and fluid drainage using the Malecot catheter-Stamey needle technique

Percutaneous abscess and fluid drainage (PAFD) of various intraabdominal collections with computed tomographic and ultrasonic guidance is well established. Current techniques use a catheter of pigtail design introduced either by multiple step dilatations or a separate trocar insertion, and are subject to complications which can be avoided by use of a new catheter-needle system we propose. This system uses a straight, winged, Malecot catheter which is introduced in one step with a Stamey needle. We report upon our experience with the Malecot catheter/Stamey needle system for PAFD in 13 patients with good results. This method ensures a single step introduction of a large bore catheter, accurate catheter placement, a stable catheter position with good function, and easy drainage of multiloculated or multiple abscesses.     

超声介入治疗细菌性肝脓肿的两种方法疗效比较

 目的 对比研究超声引导下经皮肝穿刺细针抽吸术与置管引流术治疗细菌性肝脓肿的疗效。方法 细菌性肝脓肿98例,其中直径≥5 cm 46例,直径＜5 cm 52例。对以上两种大小的脓肿,分别采取超声引导下经皮肝穿刺细针抽吸术和置管引流术两种方法治疗,比较两种方法治疗后脓肿消失时间、患者住院时间、血象、体温恢复正常时间等。结果 直径≥5 cm肝脓肿,置管引流术组在住院天数、脓腔消失时间等方面优于细针抽吸术组（P＜0.05）,在术后血象、体温恢复正常时间方面两种方法无统计学差异（P>0.05）。直径＜5 cm肝脓肿,两种方法在住院天数、脓腔消失时间、术后血象、体温恢复正常时间方面无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 对于直径≥5 cm、直径＜5 cm的细菌性肝脓肿,应分别首选超声引导下经皮肝穿刺置管引流术、细针抽吸术。     

Sonographically guided transvaginal or transrectal pelvic abscess drainage using the trocar method with a new drainage guide attachment

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we describe a drainage guide attachment that allows trocar catheter placement for abscess drainage using the transvaginal or endorectal route under sonographic control. This drainage guide attachment has a central groove for catheter placement and a removable cover. Thus, the cover may be removed after catheter placement to allow the catheter to stay in place while the rest of the drainage guide attachment and the ultrasound probe are removed from the patient. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a new sonography drainage guide attachment can be used for endorectal or endovaginal trocar catheter drainage of pelvic abscesses.     

Breast abscess in lactating women: US-guided treatment

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the use of ultrasonography (US)-guided treatment of breast abscesses in lactating women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eight consecutive lactating women who were clinically suspected of having a breast abscess were examined with US. Abscesses depicted at US were treated with US guidance, and the success of US-guided treatment was retrospectively determined. RESULTS: Fifty-six abscesses were identified at US in 43 women; all abscesses were treated with US guidance: 23 with needle aspiration and 33 with catheter drainage. Treatment method was determined according to the size of the abscess. Abscesses that were smaller than 3 cm in maximum diameter were treated with needle aspiration, and abscesses that were 3 cm or larger in maximum diameter were treated with catheter insertion. One patient who was treated with needle aspiration subsequently underwent surgical intervention; all others were successfully treated with US intervention. Catheter placement was well tolerated (mean pain score 2.3 in 22 women by using a subjective pain scale of 0-10). CONCLUSION: US-guided needle aspiration of abscesses smaller than 3 cm and US-guided catheter drainage of abscesses 3 cm or larger are successful means of treating breast abscesses.     

The usefulness of CT guided drainage of abscesses caused by retained appendicoliths

OBJECTIVES: To determine the utility of percutaneous computed tomography (CT) guided drainage of abscesses formed secondary to retained appendicoliths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted over a 5-year period to identify patients who underwent CT guided drainage of abscesses related to retained appendicoliths. Inclusion criteria were a history of prior proven appendicitis treated by laparoscopic appendicectomy, identification of a post-operative abscess related to a visualised retained appendicolith and initial treatment by CT guided drainage. Data regarding initial technical success as well as long-term outcome was recorded in each case. RESULTS: In total, five patients were identified who underwent CT guided abscess drainage related to retained appendicoliths. There were three males and two females (age range 12-54 years). Initial drainage under CT guidance was technically successful in all cases with successful catheter placement and resolution of the abscess cavity. In all five cases however, there was recurrence of abscess formation following catheter removal. In one case, a second attempt with CT guided drainage was performed. Again this was initially successful with abscess recurrence following catheter removal. In all five cases, formal surgical drainage with removal of retained appendicolith resulted in a successful outcome. CONCLUSION: CT guided percutaneous drainage of intra abdominal abscess secondary to retained appendicoliths is only successful in the short term. Formal surgical drainage and removal of the appendicolith is required for long-term success.     

CT引导下经臀途径引流盆腔深部脓肿

目的 评价CT引导下经臀途径引流盆腔深部脓肿的安全性和效果.方法 自2000年4月至2007年8月,12例盆腔深部脓肿患者接受了CT导向下经臀途径穿刺引流.回顾性分析患者的临床资料、置管数目、引流量、带管时间、并发症和随访结果.结果 对每例患者均成功经臀置人1根引流管,引流量30～180 ml,平均52 ml;带管6～34 d,平均11 d;无严重并发症发生.结论 CT引导下经臀途径引流盆腔深部脓肿安全可行.     

经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管-胸腔瘘

目的 探索经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管-胸腔瘘的可行性及临床价值.方法 7例食管胸腔瘘患者采用5 F猪尾巴多侧孔导管经鼻、食管行胸腔引流,并利用食管覆膜内支架封堵食管瘘口.术后经引流导管定时冲洗脓腔,复查脓腔造影.结果 患者一次性植入引流导管及堵瘘支架均获得成功;引流持续12～22 d,平均15 d;拔管前引流管造影提示脓腔明显变小或闭塞、液气胸得到明显控制,拔管后食管造影示瘘口封堵满意、支架完全复张,未见明显移位、狭窄等征象.结论 经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管胸腔瘘,技术上可行,操作简易、安全,临床疗效肯定.     

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。     

A new interventional technique for percutaneous treatment of drainage-resistant liver abscess

The objective of this case report is to describe a device that can be used as a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of drainage-resistant liver abscess. The device uses pulse lavage to fragment and evacuate the semi-solid contents of a liver abscess. The treatment of liver abscesses consists of percutaneous drainage, antibiotics and treatment of the underlying cause. This approach can be ineffective if the contents of the abscess cavity are not liquid, and in those cases open surgery is often needed. Here, we describe for the first time a new minimally invasive technique for treating persistent liver abscesses. A patient developed a liver abscess after a hepatico-jejunostomy performed as a palliative treatment for an unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma. Simple drainage by a percutaneously placed pig-tail catheter was insufficient because of inadequate removal of the contents of the abscess cavity. After dilatation of the drain tract the persistent semi-solid necrotic contents were fragmented by a pulsed lavage device, after which the abscess healed uneventfully. The application of pulsed lavage for debridement of drainage-resistant liver abscesses proved to be an effective and minimally invasive alternative to open surgery.The mainstays of the treatment of liver abscesses are drainage and antibiotics. Drainage can be performed by ultrasound- or CT-guided percutaneous drain placement or by surgical techniques using laparoscopy or laparotomy. The most appropriate method of drainage is controversial and varies from open surgery to repeated percutaneous punctures. Surgical drainage had a higher success rate and a shorter hospital stay than percutaneous drainage in a retrospective study of 80 patients with large pyogenic liver abscesses [1]. By contrast, a randomised trial revealed that drainage by repeated puncture was equally as effective as percutaneous drainage in which an indwelling catheter was left behind [2]. For most patients with liver abscesses, percutaneous drainage is an effective treatment.In patients with highly viscid, sticky pus or infected necrotic tissue, it is much more difficult to clean the abscess cavity because of occlusion of the relatively narrow percutaneous drain and inability to remove the semi-solid contents. In these cases, surgery is performed to create a large opening and adequate drainage of the contents of the abscess cavity. Even partial liver resection has been advocated for the treatment of drainage-resistant liver abscesses [3].Here, we describe a new technique that has the potential to treat a non-resolving liver abscess efficiently after simple percutaneous drainage. The technique uses pulsed lavage, which is able to fragment and evacuate non-liquefied debris in a liver abscess using a percutaneous approach.     

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.     

暂时性蘑菇状内支架与经鼻经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘

目的探讨暂时性蘑菇状覆膜内支架与经鼻经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘的疗效。方法对8例食管-胃吻合口瘘患者透视下,经鼻腔和食管向脓腔内置入引流管,负压抽吸脓液,再经食管置入蘑菇状覆膜内支架封堵瘘口。定时经引流管冲洗脓腔,适时复查脓腔造影,及时调整后退引流管的位置,直至引流管完全拔出;在置入术后1个月左右(约在引流管拔出后1周)取出支架。结果8例蘑菇状覆膜内支架和引流管置入技术操作全部成功,放置位置合适。经鼻经食管脓腔引流14～21d,脓腔消失,引流管完全拔出。置入术后1个月内以介入技术顺利取出支架,复查造影瘘口均愈合,脓腔消失。结论暂时性蘑菇状覆膜内支架与经鼻腔经食管脓腔引流管置入治疗食管-胃吻合口瘘,操作简单安全、无严重并发症、花费低、创伤小,是一项值得推广的新技术。     

Percutaneous internal fistulization of a lung abscess after incomplete external drainage

Internal drainage was performed with expandable metallic stents in a 79-year-old male with lung abscess secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma. Initial external drainage was prolonged, and internalization of drainage allowed removal of the external drainage catheter. Connection of abscess cavity to obstructed bronchus was created after passing a steerable guidewire percutaneously through the abscess into the bronchus. This new type of internal drainage technique may be applicable to patients with prolonged standard percutaneous external drainage of lung abscesses.     

Mediastinal abscess successfully treated by percutaneous drainage using a unified CT and fluoroscopy system

We report two patients with mediastinal abscess developing after surgery for oesophageal cancer who were treated by percutaneous drainage using a unified CT and angiography system, which allows both CT and fluoroscopy to be conducted with the patient on the same bed. Fine needle puncture is performed under CT guidance and this needle is used as a tandem for insertion of the drainage needle under fluoroscopic guidance, making safe puncture possible whilst confirming the position of the needle tip. Moreover, contrast medium can be injected from the drainage tube, allowing the extent of the abscess cavity to be determined by fluoroscopy and CT, thereby making accurate drainage possible.     

New fine needle for cholangiography with optional sheath for decompression.

A 45-cm Chiba needle with a 20-cm sheath at the hub end has been used successfully for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in 10 patients, including chronic decompression in one patient. This method permits localization of the biliary tree, vascular structures, cysts, cavities, pelvocalyceal system, and tumors with a 22 gauge needle and allows placement of a larger catheter for drainage or a larger needle for biopsy if required. No complications were observed.     

Outpatient Management of Postbiopsy Pneumothorax with Small-Caliber Chest Tubes: Factors Affecting the Need for Prolonged Drainage and Additional Interventions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of outpatient management of postbiopsy pneumothoraces with small-caliber chest tubes and to assess the factors that influence the need for prolonged drainage or additional interventions. We evaluated the medical records of patients who were treated with small-caliber chest tubes attached to Heimlich valves for pneumothoraces resulting from image-guided transthoracic needle biopsy to determine the hospital admission rates, the number of days the catheters were left in place, and the need for further interventions. We also evaluated the patient, lesion, and biopsy technique characteristics to determine their influence on the need for prolonged catheter drainage or additional interventions. Of the 191 patients included in our study, 178 (93.2%) were treated as outpatients. Ten patients (5.2%) were admitted for chest tube-related problems, either for underwater suction (n = 8) or for pain control (n = 2). No further interventions were required in 146 patients (76.4%), with successful removal of the chest tubes the day after the biopsy procedure. Prolonged catheter drainage (mean, 4.3 days) was required in 44 patients (23%). Nineteen patients (9.9%) underwent additional interventions for management of pneumothorax. Presence of emphysema was noted more frequently in patients who required additional interventions or prolonged chest tube drainage than in those who did not (51.1% vs. 24.7%; p = 0.001). We conclude that use of the Heimlich valve allows safe and successful outpatient treatment of most patients requiring chest tube placement for postbiopsy pneumothorax. Additional interventions or prolonged chest tube drainage are needed more frequently in patients with emphysema in the needle path.     

Diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology in abdominal abscess formations

Abdominal abscesses as a complication of laparotomic surgery have a high mortality rate. The authors reviewed the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of 36 patients who developed intra-abdominal abscesses after surgical treatment for abdominal neoplasias. The first-step diagnostic procedures (plain film of the abdomen and chest, CT and US) showed a sensibility of 78%. In 25/36 patients (69.5%) two interventional radiology procedures were performed: fine needle aspiration and catheter drainage of the abscess. In 16% of patients fine needle aspiration led to a complete evacuation of the abscess cavity and guaranteed the recovery. In 84% of cases a drainage catheter was positioned into the cavity and left indwelling. This case review is aimed at stressing how plain film of the abdomen is still a diagnostic procedure with high sensibility and specificity for this pathology, even though it is currently considered as a second-choice diagnostic step--US and CT being assessed as the methodologies of choice. The latter techniques can both provide a more accurate imaging when interventional radiology procedures are to be performed.     

Treatment of an esophageal perforation with enteral alimentation and transgastric drainage: Case report

Esophageal perforation with abscess formation has traditionally been approached surgically. A case report of percutaneous drainage of an esophageal perforation is presented. The drainage was performed in conjunction with a percutaneous gastrostomy. One catheter was placed initially in the gastric fundus for drainage and a second catheter was advanced through the gastroesophageal junction, through the performation, and into the abscess. This management resulted in healing of the abscess cavity and sealing of the perforation.