The role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the diagnosis of biliary stricture after liver transplantation

Purpose

To identify the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in diagnosing biliary strictures after liver transplantation.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients with clinically suspected biliary strictures after liver transplantation were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent US and MRCP before the standard of reference (SOR) procedure: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Radiological images were analyzed for biliary dilatation and strictures.

Results

By SOR, biliary dilatation was present in 55 patients, stricture in 53 (44 anastomotic, 4 intrahepatic, 5 both), and dilatation and/or stricture in 58. Dilatation was diagnosed by US and MRCP in 39 and 45, respectively (sensitivity 71% vs. 82%, p = 0.18). Stricture was diagnosed by US and MRCP in 0 and 42, respectively (sensitivity 0% vs. 79%, p < 0.0001). False positive stricture was diagnosed by MRCP in 2. Dilatation and/or stricture was diagnosed by US in 39 and MRCP in 50 (sensitivity 67% vs. 86%, p = 0.01); however, using both techniques, sensitivity increased to 95%.

Conclusions

MRCP is superior to US for diagnosing biliary strictures after liver transplantation primarily because MRCP can detect stricture. The combination of US and MRCP seems superior to either method alone. Our data suggest that in patients with normal US and MRCP, direct cholangiography could be avoided.     

Evaluation of percutaneous cholangiography and percutaneous biliary drainage in obstructive jaundice

104 patients with obstructive jaundice were referred for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The effects of PTBD on postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated as well as the occurrence of complications. The results were compared to a group of 33 patients with malignant bile duct obstruction operated without preoperative bile drainage. There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative complications and mortality between these two groups.     

New modification of deep biliary cannulation using endoscopic–radiologic rendezvous technique for palliative treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice

Aim

To describe a new simple modification of deep biliary cannulation using combined endoscopic–radiologic technique and evaluate its technical and clinical success for palliative treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice.

Patients and intervention

We used this technique in 25 patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction and failed endoscopy procedures alone. Using angiographic methods, an introducer of long arterial sheath, over a guide wire was passed to overcome the site of obstruction. Our amendments lie in using a stiff introducer to allow support of the guide wire during its navigation through the obstruction site, followed by passage of the introducer together with the guide wire to the duodenum, while the introducer in place; the hydrophilic guide wire with its slippery end should be replaced with a long ordinary guide wire which is used in ERCP because it could be easily grasped with the dormia basket.

Results

Technical success rates were 100%, internal biliary stents were successfully placed in a one-step procedure at the appropriate position in all patients with adequate duct drainage. Clinical success rates were 92% within 48–72 h and 8% within 7 days. Minor complications occurred in 4/25 (16%) patients, with no reported major complication. The median procedure time was 40 min.

Conclusion

This simple modification was technically and clinically successful for palliative treatment of inoperable malignant biliary obstruction with failed endoscopy procedures alone.     

Comparison of three-dimensional negative-contrast CT cholangiopancreatography with three-dimensional MR cholangiopancreatography for the diagnosis of obstructive biliary diseases

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to compare three-dimensional (3D) negative-contrast CT cholangiopancreatography (3D-nCTCP) with 3D MR cholangiopancreatography (3D-MRCP) for the diagnosis of obstructive biliary diseases.

Materials and methods

3D-nCTCP and 3D-MRCP were performed on seventy clinically documented obstructive biliary diseases patients. The accuracy of each technique in determining the location and cause of biliary obstruction was evaluated compared with the final clinical diagnoses.

Results

Both methods achieved 100% of accuracy in the diagnosis of the presence and location of biliary obstruction, and had a similar sensitivity, specificity, accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant biliary obstruction or calculous from noncalculous biliary obstruction (p > 0.05). At 3D-nCTCP, six patients with stones were misinterpreted as cholangitis (N = 2), papillitis (N = 3), or bile duct adenocarcinoma (N = 1); two metastases were mistaken as acute pancreatitis or pancreatic head carcinomas, and one intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was misled as bile duct adenoma. At 3D-MRCP, one small stone, one ampullary adenoma, and one intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were mistaken as cholangitis, ampullary stone, and intrahepatic bile duct stone, respectively, and three gallbladder carcinomas and another intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were misdiagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma (N = 3) or common hepatic duct stone (N = 1); four metastases were mistaken as pancreatic head carcinomas (N = 3) or distal cholangiocarcinoma (N = 1). The overall accuracy in making specific diagnosis of the cause of biliary obstruction was 87.1% for 3D-nCTCP and 84.3% for 3D-MRCP, respectively, (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

3D-nCTCP has the similar effects as 3D-MRCP for the diagnosis of biliary obstruction and, the location and the cause of biliary obstruction. In view of selected cases contraindications for MRI, 3D-nCTCP is a potential substitute.     

X线透视联合超声引导行经皮肝穿胆道引流术治疗梗阻性黄疸的临床应用

目的分析X线透视联合超声实时引导下经皮肝穿胆道引流术(PTBD)治疗阻塞性黄疸的操作技术及其应用价值。方法 78例阻塞性黄疸患者,其中70例为恶性阻塞性病变,8例为良性阻塞性病变,在超声实时引导结合X线透视下行PTBD术,穿刺右叶胆管52例,穿刺左叶胆管26例,并常规造影。结果所有患者手术均获得成功,未出现大出血及胆汁性腹膜炎等并发症,术后梗阻性黄疸症状逐渐改善,术后1～2周血清胆红素及转氨酶水平较术前明显下降(P<0.01)。结论 X线透视结合超声实时引导下PTBD是一种治疗阻塞性黄疸的有效方法,具有安全、简便、经济、并发症少的优点。     

Preoperative Biliary Drainage in Patients with Resectable Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Safer and More Effective than Endoscopic Biliary Drainage? A Meta-Analysis

Purpose

To determine the best initial procedure for performing preoperative biliary drainage in patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC).

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in conjunction with 3D for assessment of different biliary obstruction causes

Objective

To assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with 3D-MRCP, with maximum intensity projections and volume rendered images in different biliary obstruction causes.

Patient and methods

This study retrospectively reviewed the radiology records of 29 patients (18 females and 11 males) suffering from obstructive jaundice. All patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3D-MRCP with maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendered (VR) reformatted images for biliary obstruction diseases in Zagazig University Hospitals between November 2008 and January 2010. MR studies were performed with 1.5-T superconductive magnet (Philips Achieva, class II a). The patient ages were ranging from 23 to 66 years (mean age: 34 years). This study was done to evaluate the diagnostic value and accuracy of the new MRI techniques as a non-invasive tool to diagnose and differentiate between benign and malignant variants of biliary obstruction diseases and to facilitate the management planning. All cases were evaluated by clinical examination, laboratory values, grey and colored scale ultrasonography, conventional MRI, three-dimensional (3D-MRCP), MIP, and VR images. Our results were correlated with the histology of the resected specimen, operative (ERCP) or image-guided biopsy in inoperable patients.

Results

The mean age of benign patients was 30 years compared with 54 years in malignant biliary obstruction. Seventeen patients had benign cases 58.6% (6 cases of benign stricture and 11 cases with choledocholithiasis). The other 12 cases had malignant aetiology. Twenty-three patients were subjected to operative procedures, while the remaining six had ERCP/PTC and stenting. The MRI/MRCP images were of good quality in all patients. The intra- and extra-hepatic biliary radicals were visualized completely including the proximal and distal extent of the stricture. Regarding the benign cases (16/17) were satisfactorily diagnosed, however, one case was false negative, due to missed small stone at the MIP reconstructions. The 12 malignant biliary obstruction cases were as follows: five cases were cholangiocarcinoma (one peripheral type, one perihilar position, one Klatskin’s type, and two cases of the distal type), three pancreatic neoplastic lesions, two ampullary carcinoma, and two malignant lymph nodes. Regarding the benign cases 3D-MRCP had 94.1% diagnostic accuracy, otherwise more accuracy reported in malignant causes 100%.

Conclusion

3D-MRCP with MIP creates global images for pancreatico-biliary system. It is as effective as ERCP in detection of biliary obstruction and can precisely determine its level as well. Furthermore, it can provide a road map for management planning. By avoiding the flow artifacts, the false negative results that previously reported in past studies can be reduced.     

Inaccurate preoperative imaging assessment on biliary anatomy not increases biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation

Backgrounds and aims

Accurate assessment of graft bile duct is important to plan surgical procedure. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has become an important diagnostic procedure in evaluation of pancreaticobiliary ductal abnormalities and has been reported as highly accurate. We aim to estimate the efficacy of preoperative MRCP on depicting biliary anatomy in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and to determine whether inaccurate preoperative imaging assessment would increase the biliary complications after LDLT.

Methods

The data of 118 cases LDLT were recorded. Information from preoperative MRCP was assessed using intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) as the gold standard. The possible risk factors of recipient biliary complications were analyzed.

Results

Of 118 donors, 84 had normal anatomy (type A) and 34 had anatomic variants (19 cases of type B, 9 cases of type C, 1 case of type E, 2 cases of type F and 3 cases of type I) confirmed by IOC. MRCP correctly predicted all 84 normal cases and 17 of 34 variant cases, and showed an accuracy of 85.6% (101/118). The incidence of biliary complications was comparable between cases with accurate and inaccurate classification of biliary tree from MRCP, and between cases with normal and variant anatomy of bile duct. While cases with graft duct opening ≤5 mm showed a significant higher incidence of total biliary complications (21.1% vs. 6.6%, P = 0.028) and biliary stricture (10.5% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.041) compared with cases with large duct opening >5 mm.

Conclusion

MRCP could correctly predict normal but not variant biliary anatomy. Inaccurate assessment of biliary anatomy from MRCP not increases the rate of biliary complications, while small-sized graft duct may cause an increase in biliary complications particularly biliary stricture after LDLT.     

Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation and Long-Term Drainage as Treatment of Anastomotic and Nonanastomotic Benign Biliary Strictures

Purpose

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage of postoperative benign biliary strictures.

Methods

Medical records of patients with postoperative benign biliary strictures, in whom percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and balloon dilation was performed between January 1999 and December 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. PTBD and balloon dilation (4–10 mm) were followed by placement of internal-external biliary drainage catheters (8.5–12 F). Patients were scheduled for elective tube changes, if necessary combined with repeated balloon dilation of the stenosis, at 3-week intervals up to a minimum of 3 months.

Results

Ninety-eight patients received a total of 134 treatments. The treatment was considered technically successful in 98.5 %. Drainage catheters were left in with a median duration of 14 weeks. Complications occurred in 11 patients. In 13 patients, percutaneous treatment was converted to surgical intervention. Of 85 patients in whom percutaneous treatment was completed, 11.8 % developed clinically relevant restenosis. Median follow-up was 35 months. Probability of patency at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 0.95, 0.92, 0.88, and 0.72, respectively. Overall, 76.5 % had successful management with PTBD. Restenosis and treatment failure occurred more often in patients who underwent multiple treatments. Treatments failed more often in patients with multiple strictures. All blood markers of liver function significantly decreased to normal values.

Conclusions

Percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage demonstrate good short- and long-term effectiveness as treatment for postoperative benign biliary strictures with an acceptably low complication rate and therefore are indicated as treatment of choice.     

Biliary stone removal through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route,focusing on the balloon sphincteroplasty flushing technique: a single center study with 916 patients

Purpose

To present our experience in biliary stone removal (BSR) through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) route in 916 patients, and discuss its clinical usefulness.

Materials and methods

From 2001 to 2015, 916 patients (479 male patients and 437 female patients; age range, 22–92 years; mean age, 67 years) with 52 recurring cases, so a total of 968 cases, were enrolled in this study and retrospectively reviewed. PTBD was performed in all patients. BSR was performed using a combination of a balloon sphincteroplasty flushing technique, a pushing technique after sphincteroplasty, and classical extraction technique, decided case by case.

Results

A complete removal was achieved in 893 cases (92.3%) and the overall clinical success rate was 99.3%. Failure occurred in 7 cases (0.7%), and the causes of failure were stone impaction (n = 5) and intrahepatic bile duct stricture (n = 2). Sphincteroplasty was performed in 902 cases (93.2%). Balloon sphincteroplasty flushing technique was used in 829 (85.6%) cases. There was no major complication. Transient minor complications were seen in 86 cases (8.9%).

Conclusions

BSR through the PTBD route using a combination of techniques, including balloon sphincteroplasty flushing, is a safe and effective treatment modality to remove biliary stones.

     

Percutaneous Treatment of Extrahepatic Bile Duct Stones Assisted by Balloon Sphincteroplasty and Occlusion Balloon

Objective

To describe the technical feasibility and usefulness of extrahepatic biliary stone removal by balloon sphincteroplasty and occlusion balloon pushing.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones were included in this study. Endoscopic stone removal was not successful in 13 patients, and two patients refused the procedure due to endoscopy phobia. At first, all patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). A few days later, through the PTBD route, balloon assisted dilatation for common bile duct (CBD) sphincter was performed, and then the stones were pushed into the duodenum using an 11.5 mm occlusion balloon. Success rate, reason for failure, and complications associated with the procedure were evaluated.

Results

Eight patients had one stone, five patients had two stones, and two patients had more than five stones. The procedure was successful in 13 patients (13/15). In 12 of the patients, all stones were removed in the first trial. In one patient, residual stones were discovered on follow-up cholangiography, and were subsequently removed in the second trial. Technical failure occurred in two patients. Both of these patients had severely dilated CBD and multiple stones with various sizes. Ten patients complained of pain in the right upper quadrant and epigastrium of the abdomen immediately following the procedure, but there were no significant procedure-related complications such as bleeding or pancreatitis.

Conclusion

Percutaneous extrahepatic biliary stone removal by balloon sphincteroplasty and subsequent stone pushing with occlusion balloon is an effective, safe, and technically feasible procedure which can be used as an alternative method in patients when endoscopic extrahepatic biliary stone removal was not successful.     

Risk Factors for Immediate and Delayed-Onset Fever After Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Objectives

To prospectively investigate the pre and intra-procedural risk factors for immediate (IF) and delayed-onset (DOF) fever development after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).

Methods

Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. Between February 2013 and February 2014, 97 afebrile patients (77 at the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and 20 at the Sun Yat-sen University of Guangzhou, China) with benign (n = 31) and malignant (n = 66) indications for a first PTBD were prospectively enrolled. Thirty pre- and intra-procedural clinical/radiological characteristics, including the amount of contrast media injected prior to PTBD placement, were collected in relation to the development of IF (within 24 h) or DOF (after 24 h). Fever was defined as ≥37.5 °C. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess independent associations with IF and DOF.

Results

Fourteen (14.4 %) patients developed IF and 17 (17.5 %) developed DOF. At multivariable analysis, IF was associated with pre-procedural absence of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (OR 63.359; 95 % CI 2.658–1510.055; P = 0.010) and low INR (OR 4.7 × 10^?4; 95 % CI 0.000–0.376; P = 0.025), while DOF was associated with unsatisfactory biliary drainage at the end of PTBD (OR 4.571; 95 % CI 1.161–17.992; P = 0.030).

Conclusions

The amount of contrast injected is not associated with post-PTBD fever development. Unsatisfactory biliary drainage at the end of PTBD is associated with DOF, suggesting that complete biliary tree decompression should be pursued within the first PTBD. Patients with unsatisfactory drainage and those with the absence of pre-procedural intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, which is associated with IF, require tailored post-PTBD management.

     

Obstructive jaundice in hepatocellular carcinoma: response after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and prognostic factors

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by biliary involvement of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and to determine the prognostic factors. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 22 consecutive patients (M:F = 20:2, mean age 52.8 years). Inclusion criteria were the patient having obstructive jaundice caused by HCC that invaded the bile ducts and having at least 4 weeks of follow-up data after the PTBD. We defined "good response" and "poor response" as whether the level of total bilirubin decreased more than 50% in 4 weeks or not. Total bilirubin level (T-bil), Child-Pugh score and the location of biliary obstruction for the two groups were compared. In addition, the interval between clinical onset of jaundice and PTBD, the degree of parenchymal atrophy and the size of the primary tumor were compared. Results: Of the 22 patients, 13 (59.1%) showed good response. T-bil was significantly lower in the good response group than in the poor (14.2 ± 6 mg/dl vs 25.9 ± 13.8 mg/dl, p = .017). In the five patients with T-bil <10 mg/dl, four (80%) showed good response, while in nine patients with T-bil > 20 mg/dl, only three (33%) showed good response. Although statistically not significant, patients with Child score <10 showed better results [good response rate of 66.7% (12/18)] than patients with Child score ?10 [good response rate of 25% (1/4)]. Involvement of secondary confluence of the bile duct also served as a poor prognostic factor (p = 0.235). The interval between clinical onset of jaundice and PTBD, the presence of parenchymal atrophy and the size of the tumor did not show significant effect. Conclusion: Early and effective biliary drainage might be necessary in this group of patients with limited hepatic function.     

The Complication of Hepatic Artery Injuries of 1,304 Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage in a Single Institute

Purpose

To determine frequency of and assess risk factors for hepatic artery (HA) injury during percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and to discuss the technique and report the clinical outcome of embolization for HA injury.

Effectiveness of percutaneous metal stent placement in cholangiocarcinoma patients with midterm follow-up: Single center experience

Purpose

Patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma present with high rate of local complications. The primary aim of this study is to report clinical course of advanced cholangiocarcinoma patients those who were presented with biliary obstruction and treated with percutaneous biliary stenting.

Material and methods

Patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma followed by our center for a period of 4 years were analyzed. For statistical analysis demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, primary biliary drainage method, metal stent occlusion rate, time to stent occlusion, and overall survival rates were recorded.

Results

A total of 34 eligible patients were analyzed. 27 patients had metal stent placement. These 27 patients formed the basis of this study. Median overall survival (OS) was 6.0 months. After metal stent deployment bilurubin levels were normalized within a mean of 10 days. During the follow-up period, 13 patients were experienced metal stent occlusion. Median TtSO was 10 weeks. Cytotoxic chemotherapy was administered to 14 (52%) patients. Patients without stent dysfunction had significantly higher rate of chemotherapy exposure rate (p = 0.021). Statistical analysis, however, failed to exhibit significant effect of stent dysfunction on OS.

Conclusion

In advanced cholangiocarcinoma, relief of bile duct obstruction is an important part of the initial patient management. This study therefore described the clinical value of percutaneous metal stent in cholangiocarcinoma patients and raises the question about patency of metal stent in cholangiocarcinoma whether we can expect success similar to the success achieved in pancreas carcinoma.     

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in cholestatic jaundice

The aim of the study

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with cholestatic jaundice.

Patients and methods

Clinical, laboratory and investigational data were evaluated from 50 patients with cholestastic jaundice. MRCP findings were compared with ERCP or operative findings and appropriate clinical endpoints.

Results

The ERCP or operative findings and appropriate clinical endpoints revealed 23 patients with intra or extra hepatic biliary dilatation and 27 patients without intra or extra hepatic biliary dilatation. As regards the 23 patients with biliary dilatation, biliary dilatation was evident in 19 patients by U/S versus 23 patients by MRCP. ERCP was successful in 20 patients (87%) and was not done in three patients (13%). In cases of obstructive jaundice the sensitivity of MRCP was 100% versus 86% in choledocholithiasis and malignant detection, respectively p value <0.05.

Conclusion

MRCP is highly sensitive and specific for biliary dilatation and avoids the need for invasive imaging in most patients with cholestasis. MRCP permits reservation of ERCP to patients with a high probability of therapeutic intervention.     

Management of post-surgical biliary leakage with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and occlusion balloon (OB) in patients without dilatation of the biliary tree: preliminary results

Objective  

To compare the outcome of patients affected by biliary leak after major biliary surgery and treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) alone with that of similar patients treated with PTBD and concurrent positioning of an occlusion balloon (PTBD-OB).     

Significance of peribiliary oedema on computed tomography in diagnosis and severity assessment of acute cholangitis

Objectives

To evaluate usefulness of peribiliary oedema on computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing acute cholangitis and assessing its severity.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients (male 59%, mean age 67.3 years) who underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) for suspected biliary obstruction within 6 h after contrast-enhanced CT were evaluated. Two radiologists performed a consensus evaluation of CT for the presence of peribiliary oedema. Patients were divided into the cholangitis group and the non-cholangitis group based on clinical and ERBD findings, and CT results were compared between the two groups. In the cholangitis group, laboratory values and blood culture results were compared between those with and without peribiliary oedema. Chi-squared test was used for analyses.

Results

Of 60 enrolled patients, there were 46 patients in the cholangitis group and 14 patients in the non-cholangitis group. Peribiliary oedema was seen in 24/46 (52.2%) patients in the cholangitis group and 3/14 (23.3%) patients in the non-cholangitis group (p = 0.043). In the cholangitis group, positive blood culture was seen in 12/24 (50%) patients with peribiliary oedema and 4/22 (18.1%) patients without it (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Peribiliary oedema appears to be useful for diagnosis and severity assessment of acute cholangitis.     

经皮穿肝胆管引流术指南的建议

经皮穿肝胆管引流术是治疗梗阻性黄疸的有效手段,随着各种新颖的穿刺器械不断开创、操作技术的提高及医学理念的更新,该方法在临床上被广泛地应用于缓解胆道梗阻。为更好地应用此项技术,本文就经皮穿肝胆管引流术的适应证、禁忌证、操作方法、术后处理、并发症及预防、注意事项等方面提出一些建议,作为制订经皮穿肝胆管引流术指南讨论的基础。     

Percutaneous image-guided aspiration versus catheter drainage of abdominal and pelvic collections

Purpose

Intra abdominal and pelvic fluid collection is a serious problem that requires drainage. The goal of our study was to report our experience and evaluate the feasibility, safety and outcome of percutaneous image-guided aspiration versus catheter drainage of abdominal and pelvic collections.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective study of 84 patients (45 males and 39 females of mean age 45.1 + 16.9 years) who have intra abdominal or pelvic collections and have a good coagulation profile. Small (<5 cm) collections were treated by aspiration. Continuous catheter drainage was applied to failed aspirations or large collection.

Results

112 Drainage procedures were carried out in 84 patients guided by either ultrasound or CT. Aspirations of 31 collections were carried out in 22 patients, and 81 catheters (8–10 French) were inserted in 66 patients. Four patients had both aspirations and catheters. The collections were either sterile or pus. Median diameter of aspirated collections was 4.2 cm (3–5 cm) compared to 7.2 cm (6–12 cm) of those treated by catheters P < 0.05. Technical success was 100% in both aspiration and catheter insertion using the Seldinger technique but it was 87% with the trocar technique. Clinical success rate for aspiration was 94% (n = 29) but increased to 100% after catheter insertion and that of catheter was 95%. No major complications were encountered.

Conclusion

Image-guided drainage of abdominal and pelvic collections is safe and effective and can avoid surgery in selected patients. Aspiration should be tried before catheter insertion. Careful catheter selection for trochar technique is important.