Drainage of hepatic,intraabdominal, and mediastinal abscesses guided by computerized axial tomography: Successful alternative to open drainage

Open surgical drainage of intraabdominal, intrahepatic, and mediastinal abscesses is well established. Although this may be the procedure of choice when there are indications for treatment of concurrent intraabdominal and mediastinal surgical disease, with the advent of computerized axial tomography and ultrasonography we have identified a patient population best served by percutaneous catheter drainage. The procedure involves precise localization using ultrasound or CAT scanning, fine needle aspiration for confirmation of diagnosis, and injection of radiopaque contrast medium with fluoroscopic observation to localize the abscess. Catheter placement is usually achieved by a Seldinger technique, although a trochar-cannula method is occasionally required. Our experience with 24 patients, as well as review of the world literature provides a cumulative experience of 252 patients, has led us to believe that this approach is successful 83 percent of the time with a minimal incidence of complications. Percutaneous catheter drainage of intrahepatic, intraabdominal, and mediastinal abscesses guided by computerized axial tomography is the treatment of choice in patients who do not have other indications for exploration.