CT-guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Research Articles

Does computed tomography-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is effective for spinal tuberculous abscess: a midterm results.

Retrospective cohort study. To evaluate an effectiveness and report a midterm clinical outcome in pain and neurological status in spinal tuberculous abscess after treated by CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage. Spinal tuberculosis is one of the destructive forms of tuberculosis infection, which can cause undesirable consequences. The gold standard of surgical treatment of spinal tuberculosis with tuberculous abscess is radical debridement, abscess drainage, and bone grafting of the defect via anterior approach. However, this treatment may lead to several serious complications. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is an alternative procedure for this condition and may reduce the serious complications from standard surgical treatment. The medical record of the patients with spinal tuberculosis with tuberculous abscess who underwent CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (CT-guided PCD) from 2015 to 2021. The visual analog pain scale (VAS), Frankel grading scale, duration of drainage, amount of spinal tuberculous abscess, and complications were evaluated. Twenty-nine patients (mean age 44 years old) were included in the study. All patients were followed up for 24 to 72 months with an average of 36 months. Level involvements were mostly found in L1-L2 followed by L2-L3 and T12-L1 levels. A 14-Fr catheter was the mostly use followed by 16-Fr catheter. Amount of abscess drainage ranged from 110 to 2,490 ml (mean 599 ml). The drainage duration ranged from 6 to 42 days (mean 17 days). Additional surgery was performed in three patients due to subsequent mechanical instability developed despite successful drainage of abscess. At the last follow-up, VAS, Frankel grading scale were improved significantly in all patients without complications. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and effective alternative procedure in the treatment of spinal tuberculous abscess patients with high success rate, less complications, and satisfied midterm outcomes.

Clinical Efficacy of CT-Guided Continuous Catheterization Drainage for Spinal Tuberculosis with Large Abscesses.

Objective This study aimed to determine the efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided local catheterization for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis (TB) with abscess. Methods Clinical data from 22 cases of lumbar TB with abscess receiving treatments from July 2015 to January 2021 were analyzed. Some patients (n = 11) underwent pure surgery (control group) and the others (n = 11) received CT-guided catheterization drainage. The operation and hospitalization time, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analog scale (VAS), ASIA damage grade, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of both groups were compared. Results The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay of the observation group were significantly less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). As the differences in preoperative ESR, CRP, and VAS scores between both groups did not reach significance (P > 0.05), after treatments, the observation group had a lower level of ESR and CRP (P < 0.05); the postoperative VAS scores of the two groups decreased (P > 0.05). Before treatment, the control group comprised 2 cases of ASIA grade A, 1 case of B, 6 cases of C, and 2 cases of D with 3 patients having dyskinesia. After surgery, the motor function of the patients was improved, and there were 3 cases of ASIA D and 8 cases of E. Meanwhile, the preoperative observation group consisted of 9 cases of ASIA D and 2 cases of E. Due to CT-guided catheterization, all patients achieved clinical healing (ASIA E) when the lesions were significantly alleviated, and symptoms such as low back pain and lower extremity pain disappeared. Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for continuous administration of drugs is effective treatment for spinal TB with abscess, when shortening the operation and hospitalization time and reducing intraoperative blood loss and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is worthy of popularization and application.

1427 Minimally Invasive Treatment for Severe Acute Pancreatitis With Colonic Stenosis

INTRODUCTION: Colonic stenosis is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis (AP). It may be the consequence of inflammation and necrosis caused by AP. Early intervention is necessary, since the progression of colonic stenosis in AP leads to high mortality. We present a case of stenosis of right colic flexure in AP with total minimally invasive treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 73-year-old male patient with severe AP due to biliary lithiasis was transferred to our hospital because of recurrent infection and fever at the local hospital. The patient had upper and right lower quadrant abdominal pain at admission. Computed tomography (CT) revealed enveloping necrosis around pancreatic head and exudation of the ascending mesenteric side. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage was performed to relieve abdominal and peripancreatic abscess. One week after admission, the patient experienced acute onset severe dull pain in the lower right abdomen. CT showed closed loop ileus from ascending colon to transverse colon (Figure 1a). The colonoscopy revealed the stenosis of right colic flexure and adjacent part of transverse colon and the narrow section was 6 cm (Figure 2a). A fully covered intestinal stent (2 cm × 10 cm) was implanted under colonoscopy (Figure 2b, c). Postoperative CT revealed intestinal stent was in place (Figure 1b). The symptom was quickly controlled after implantation. Meanwhile, pancreatic duct stent was implanted to control the pancreatic fistula. The patient recovered smoothly with the supportive treatment and irrigation tubes were removed before discharge. After 2 months of discharge, CT presented a little necrosis around pancreas and colonic stenosis disappeared (Figure 1c). It was found that the stent had been extruded and right colonic flexure was slightly narrow by colonoscopy (Figure 2d). DISCUSSION: Colonic stenosis secondary to AP is uncommon. It may result from diffusion of inflammation by pancreatic enzymes and pancreatic necrosis. The anatomic relationship of the pancreas and large bowel is an important factor. In this case, stenosis of right colonic flexure is related with necrosis around pancreatic head. Colonic stenosis in AP can progress to colonic ischemia, necrosis and perforation, leading to very poor prognosis It needs operation and resection. Therefore, timely treatment is important. Here, we used total minimally invasive techniques, including implantation of pancreatic duct stent and colonic stent, to prevent detrimental consequence. The prognosis of the patient is good.

CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of pancreatic postoperative collections

Objective: To examine the clinical characteristics of fluid collections after pancreatic surgery and evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (CT-PCD).Material and methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out. 51 patients enrolled in this study underwent CT-PCD for collections after pancreatic surgery. The clinical and imaging data were collected and analysed.Results: In all 51 cases, CT scans showed that the samples were collected from the upper abdomen in 94.1% (48/51) of the patients. Apparent clinical symptoms before puncture manifested in 88.2% (45/51) of the patients. The average interval between surgery and puncture was 14.3 ± 7.9 days. In 76.4% (39/51) of the patients, the abdominal drainage catheter inserted during surgery was still not removed during CT-PCD. Amylase levels in drainage fluid were more than three times that of serum amylase in 66.7% (24/36) of the patients. The drainage fluid of 37 patients was sent for bacterial cultures; of these, 64.9% (24/37) tested positive. Full recovery after single puncture procedure occurred in 84.3% (43/51) of the patients. The incidence of puncture-related complications was 3.9%.Conclusions: Pancreatic postoperative collections requiring clinical puncture were mostly located in the upper abdomen. CT-PCD is a safe technique with good therapeutic effects in patients with collections.

Analysis of the Treatment Efficacy of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Under CT Guidance for Severe Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Background: Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) therapy is an important treatment for severe acute pancreatitis. Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the relevant risk factors of computed tomography (CT) guided PCD during the treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in severe acute pancreatitis. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study. From January 2013 to November 2016, 162 patients suffering from severe acute pancreatitis with IPN were assessed using CT-guided PCD. Abdominal CT scan was performed for the patients. The interventional therapist chose the location and puncture according to the image. Depending on the efficacy and process of the treatment, these patients were divided into a PCD success treatment group and a PCD combined with surgery group. Factors affecting the success of PCD treatment were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 162 cases, 71 cases (43.82%) were in the PCD success group and 91 cases (56.17%) were in the PCD combined with surgery group. Through the course of treatment, CT values of piercing zone, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) scores and modified CT severity index (MCTSI) scores showed statistically significant correlation with the therapeutic effect of PCD under CT guidance. A further multivariate analysis found that the CT value of puncture area is the best predictor for efficacy and when the CT value got higher the PCD efficacy would become lower. We performed further analysis of the factors associated with the average CT value in the puncture area which was higher than 20 Hounsfield unit (HU), and found that the length of time from patient admission to drainage, APACHEII scores, MCTSI scores and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were risk factors for PCD treatment efficacy. Conclusion: CT values of piercing zone is the major risk factor affecting the curative effect of CT guidance PCD. For patients with higher CT values in the puncture area, the longer time from patient admission to drainage, the higher APACHEII scores and MCTSI scores. Higher levels of C reactive protein seem to lower the curative effect.

Treatment of Pericardial Effusion Through Subxiphoid Tube Pericardiostomy and Computerized Tomography- or Echocardiography - Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Methods.

ObjectiveIn this retrospective study, we aimed to observe the efficacy of pericardial effusion (PE) treatments by a survey conducted at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University.MethodsIn order to get comparable results, the patients with PE were divided into three groups - group A, 480 patients who underwent subxiphoid pericardiostomy; group B, 28 patients who underwent computerized tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous catheter drainage; and group C, 45 patients who underwent echocardiography (ECHO)-guided percutaneous catheter drainage.ResultsIn the three groups of patients, the most important symptom and physical sign were dyspnea and tachycardia, respectively. The most common causes of PE were uremic pericarditis in patients who underwent tube pericardiostomy, postoperative PE in patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage, and cancer-related PE in patients who underwent ECHO-guided percutaneous catheter drainage. In all the patients, relief of symptoms was achieved after surgical intervention. There was no treatment-related mortality in any group of patients. In patients with tuberculous pericarditis, the rates of recurrent PE and/or constrictive pericarditis progress were 2,9% and 2,2% after tube pericardiostomy and ECHO-guided percutaneous catheter drainage, respectively.ConclusionCurrently, there are many methods to treat PE. The correct treatment method for each patient should be selected according to a very careful analysis of the patient's clinical condition as well as the prospective benefit of surgical intervention.

Efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in treatment of uniloculated deep neck abscesses

Twenty-three patients with uniloculated deep neck abscesses(UDNA), in whom the antibiotic therapy failed and CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) was performed from January 2005 to June 2015, were included in the study.Catheter placement was carried out using Trocar technique in all cases.Open surgical drainage was performed when PCD procedures failed.The abscess was completely drained and open surgical drainage was avoided in 19 cases (83%); the surgical drainage was performed because of multiple internal septation in 3 (13%) case, and 1 (4%) case died from uremia.In this series the technical success rate and clinical success rate of PCD were 96% (22/23) and 83%(19/23), respectively.All patients were followed-up by CT scan.No other complications and no mortality occurred during the procedure, while postoperative pneumatosis developed in 1 case.CT-guided PDC is a safe and highly effective low-cost procedure for the treatment of patients with UDNA who failed medical therapy, it may be considered as an alternative to open surgery. Key words: Abscess, deep neck; Diabetes mellitus; Drainage, CT-guided

Feasibility of radiofrequency ablation as an alternative to surgical intervention in patients with huge multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses: A retrospective cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study investigated the feasibility of radiofrequency (RF) ablation as an alternative to surgical intervention in patients with huge multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs).From August 2010 to April 2016, 83 patients with PLA were admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, China. Four of these patients had huge multiloculated PLAs and underwent RF ablation plus antibiotics. The inclusion criteria for RF ablation were as follows: multiloculated PLA confirmed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), widest diameter of the PLA ≥5 cm, failure to respond to or not suitable to treatment with percutaneous drainage (PD), and patient refusal of surgery. The safety and effectiveness of RF ablation were initially assessed. All patients were commenced on antibiotics on admission to our hospital. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage was attempted in one patient but was unsuccessful. The main organism isolated from cultures of these patients’ blood or abscess samples was Klebsiella pneumoniae (3/4). RF ablation was performed as soon as eligibility according to the above criteria was established.RF ablation was technically successful in all 4 study patients, all PLAs being completely eradicated. The median duration of fever after RF ablation was 4.5 days. No abscesses recurred; thus, this strategy for managing PLA was 100% successful (4/4). No procedure-related deaths or major complications occurred. One patient had an asymptomatic right pleural effusion that resolved with conservative treatment including albumin infusion and diuretics.Our preliminary data indicate that RF ablation is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for huge multiloculated PLAs. It should be considered as an alternative treatment for patients who fail to respond to or not suitable for PD plus antibiotics and refuse surgical intervention.

CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for treatment of pancreatic abscess after post-ERCP pancreatitis

CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for treatment of pancreatic abscess after post-ERCP pancreatitis

Therapeutic impact of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in treatment of deep tissue abscesses

Combination therapy of CT-guided percutaneous drainage and antibiotics is the first-line treatment for abscesses. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated. However, the therapeutic impact of this procedure for infection treatment has never been reported.We retrospectively analyzed all 47 patients who received CT-guided percutaneous drainage for infection treatment. Patients’ characteristics, pathogens isolated, antibiotics administered, technical and clinical outcomes, complications related to this procedure and therapeutic impacts were investigated. Patients were 26 males and 21 females. The mean age was 63.5 years (±18.7). The diseases targeted were 19 retroperitoneal abscesses, 18 intra-abdominal abscesses, three pelvic abscesses, and seven others. As for technical outcomes, all of the 54 procedures (100%) were successful. As for clinical outcomes, 44 (93.6%) were cured and three patients (6.4%) died. No complications related to this procedure were found in this study. A total of 42 patients (88%) had a change in the management of their infection as a result of CT-guided percutaneous drainage, such as selection and discontinuation of antibiotics. In conclusion, CT-guided percutaneous drainage is a safe and favorable procedure in the treatment of deep tissue abscesses. Therapeutic impact of these procedures helped physicians make a rational decision for antibiotics selection.

Clinical effect of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage versus laparotomy in treatment of infective pancreatic necrosis

Clinical effect of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage versus laparotomy in treatment of infective pancreatic necrosis

Efficacy of three different surgical methods in treatment for bacteria liver abscess

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of the ultrasound or CT-guided percutaneous pus or catheter drainage (CT-PDLA),laparoscopic liver abscess drainage (LD-LA) and abdominal liver abscess incision and drainage (IDLA).Methods 103 cases of pyogenic liver abscess were randomly divided into three groups,which were CT-PDLA group (Group A,35 cases),LD-LA group (Group B,n =34 cases) and IDLA group (Group C,34 cases),and the clinical effects of three groups were compared.Results All patients were cured,the total efficiency of Group A was 100％,Group B for 97.06％,Group C for 82.35％,there was statistical significant difference between them (P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between Group A and Group B(P＞0.05),there were no significant difference in the biochemical markers of three groups(P＞0.05),for the after conventional indicators,Group A was better than that Group B and Group C (P＜0.05).Conclusion Under the same conditions,exact indications,the CT-PDLA treatment BLA is reliable,simple,economical,having advantages of small trauma,low complications and high cure rate,which can be the preferred treatment choice for bacterial liver abscess. Key words: Bacterial liver abscess; Ultrasound-guided; Laparoscopic drainage; Open drainage

Amoebic liver abscess in travellers: indication for image-guided puncture?

Although amoebic liver abscess due to Entamoeba histolytica is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide, invasive disease remains uncommon in industrialized countries. Metronidazole is the standard of care for complicated and uncomplicated invasive amoebiasis. Puncture of amebic liver abscesses is a treatment option primarily for complicated abscesses (localized in left lobe, multiple, and/or pyogenic abscesses). The role of image-guided percutaneous puncture in initially uncomplicated liver abscess formations still remains unanswered. A subset of patients with uncomplicated amoebic liver abscesses, however, fails to respond to conservative treatment alone. We report two cases of amoebic liver abscess formations in Austrian travelers. Two males, aged 67 and 43, presented with fever, chills and fatigue. Four months prior to admission both patients travelled together to Goa, India, for 4 weeks. Computed tomography showed uncomplicated liver abscess formations and serology for E. histolytica was positive in both patients. Therapy with metronidazole 500 mg four times daily was initiated. Computed tomography then showed an increase in size of liver abscess formations in both patients after 13 and 10 days of intravenous metronidazole therapy, respectively. Patient 1 developed pleural effusion and patient 2 additional liver abscess formations. Therefore CT-guided percutaneous therapeutic catheter drainage of liver abscess formations was performed in both patients without complications. Real time PCR of abscess drainage was positive for E. histolytica in both patients. After completion of metronidazole, paromomycin 500 mg three times daily was initiated for seven days for elimination of cysts and both patients were discharged without further complaints. This report highlights that conservative monotherapeutic treatment alone may not be sufficient in some patients with initially uncomplicated E. histolytica liver abscess. Implementation of additional image guided percutaneous puncture may reduce mortality and disease related costs.

Management of retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissues in pelvic cavity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the management of retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissues in pelvic cavity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods The clinical data of 5 patients with SAP complicated with retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissue in the pelvic carvity who were admitted to the General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area from December 2009 to February 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Systemic comprehensive treatement combined with local management were applied to all the patients.Results Systemic comprehensive treatment:all the 5 patients were treated by enteral nutrition,3 by mechanical ventilation and 3 by continuous blood purification.All the retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissues in the pelvic carvity were treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous catheter drainage,and then the patients were converted to open surgery for further drainage.Four patients had complication of infected pancreatic necrosis bleeding,and they were treated by arterial embolism and (or) sandwich therapy.Local management:5 patients with retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissues received CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage via buttocks.The average time of puncturation after illness was 38.4 days,and the average CT density of infected necrotic tissue was 24.4 Hu (20-28 Hu).Catheterization was successfully done in the open surgery for all the 5 patients,and the average time of abdominal drainage was 21 days.The body temperature and white blood cell count were decreased after puncturation.The average duration of intensive care unite stay,the average time of hospital stay and the average cost of hospitalization were (47 ± 20 )days,(88 ±34 )days and (186 342 ± 15 467 )yuan.All the patients were followed up till May 2012,no recurrece of the retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissue was detected.Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage via buttocks is effective for the treatment of retroperitoneal infected necrotic tissue in the pelvic cavity in SAP patients. Key words: Severe acute pancreatitis; Drainage; Retroperitoneal cavity; Infected necrotic tissue; Percutaneous catheter drainage

CT-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Acute Infectious Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Assessment of Effectiveness and Safety

The purpose of this study is to assess retrospectively the effectiveness and safety of CT-guided percutaneous drainage and to determine the factors influencing clinical success and mortality in patients with infectious necrotizing pancreatitis. From April 1997 to December 2005, 48 consecutive patients (33 men and 15 women; median age, 58.5 years) with proven infectious necrotizing pancreatitis underwent percutaneous catheter drainage via CT guidance. Evaluated factors included clinical, biologic, and radiologic scores; drainage and catheter characteristics; and complications. Clinical success was defined as control of sepsis without requirement for surgery. Univariate analysis was performed to determine factors that could have affected the clinical success and the mortality rates. Clinical success was achieved in 31 of 48 patients (64.6%) and was significantly associated with Ranson score (p = 0.01) and with the delay between admission and the beginning of the drainage (p = 0.005), with a calculated threshold delay of 18 days (p = 0.001). The global mortality rate (14/48 [29%]) was also influenced by the Ranson score (p = 01) and the delay of drainage (p = 0.04) with the same threshold delay (p = 0.01). Only two major nonlethal procedure-related complications were observed. Percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and effective technique to treat acute infectious necrotizing pancreatitis.

Percutaneous Treatment of an Infected Aneurysmal Sac Secondary to Aortoesophageal Fistula with a History of Stent-Graft Treatment for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

A 68-year-old man who was subjected to stent-grafting of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) 4months previously was admitted to our hospital with constitutional symptoms, including high fever, sweating, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and backache. An infected aneurysmal sac was suspected based on computed tomography (CT) findings, and an aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) was identified during esophagoscopy. CT-guided aspiration was performed using a 20-G Chiba needle, confirming the presence of infection. For treatment of the infected aneurysmal sac, CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in a prone position was performed under general anesthesia with left endobronchial intubation. Drainage catheter insertion was successfully performed using the Seldinger technique, which is not a standard treatment of an infected aneurysmal sac. Improvement in the patient's clinical condition was observed at follow-ups, and CT showed total regression of the collection in the aneurysmal sac.

Treatment of Deep Intramuscular and Musculoskeletal Abscess: Experience With 99 CT-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Procedures

The purpose of this article is to describe our experience draining deep muscular and musculoskeletal abscess collections with CT guidance, emphasizing clinicopathologic factors associated with drain failure, and to further analyze patient outcomes according to whether the process involves muscle alone or also involves adjacent bone or joint (skeletal involvement). The details of percutaneous catheter drainage were retrospectively recorded for all drainages performed over a 9-year period. The technical and clinical successes of percutaneous catheter drainage were determined. Multifactor logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of drain failure (malignancy, age, chemotherapy, surgery, infection, complexity, size, days in situ, and skeletal involvement). These parameters were assessed in all patients, those with muscle involvement alone and those with musculoskeletal collections. Eighty-nine of 94 patients underwent one percutaneous drainage procedure and 5 of 94 patients underwent two drainages for a total of 99 drainages in 94 patients (one drainage [n = 89] and two drainages [n = 5]). There were 62 men and 32 women with a mean age of 58.5 years (age range [±SD], 22.3-88.0 ± 16 years). The abscess diameters ranged from 1.8 to 13 cm (mean, 5.3 ± 2.5 cm), volume aspirated ranged from 0 to 200 mL (mean, 45 ± 44 mL), and mean duration of drainage was 16.2 days (range, 2-110 ± 18.7 days). The iliopsoas muscle was the most common site of drainage, accounting for 87.8% of the total. Catheter insertion was possible in all patients, with the muscular component successfully drained in 82% (81/99) overall: 85% (46/54) of those with muscle involvement alone and 77% (35/45) of those with musculoskeletal collections. Catheter drainage and antibiotic administration resulted in 65.6% (65/99) not requiring any surgical intervention and resolution of abnormal white cell count or fevers in 98.8% (79/80) of those with abnormal parameters before treatment. Skeletal infection was associated with increased risk of drainage failure (p = 0.0001). Percutaneous imaging-guided musculoskeletal drainage is clinically useful, safe, and effective for draining complex musculoskeletal collections. It is highly effective for draining collections involving muscle alone; however, skeletal infection is associated with a higher risk of drain failure.

Ct-guided percutaneous drainage of lung abscesses: review of 40 cases

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CT-guided percutaneous drainage of lung abscesses considering success rate versus complications. This retrospective study was carried out at Computed Tomography and Interventional Radiology Department of Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece, from 1/1/2007 to 1/1/2010. Forty patients with lung abscesses in which antibiotic therapy failed and were managed with CT-guided percutaneous drainage were included in the study. Catheter placement was carried out using Trocar technique in the majority of the cases. Lung abscess completely resolved with no residual cavity in thirty three patients. Seven patients had residual cavity and surgery was performed. Thus, the success rate of radiological drainage of the lung abscesses (33/40) was 83%. Five (13%) patients developed pneumothorax. Three developed moderate pneumothorax and chest-tube needed to be inserted and two patients developed mild pneumothorax which was managed with aspiration. These patients were kept under observation and followed-up by chest X-rays. No other complications and no mortality occurred during the procedure for all the forty patients. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is a useful and safe procedure for the treatment of patients with lung abscesses who do not respond to medical therapy and should be considered a valuable alternative to open surgery.

The Interventional Radiological Procedures of the Infections of Pancreas

Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe form of acute pancreatitis and is related with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The close cooperation and communication, working as a team, among interventional radiologists surgeons and gastroenterologists improves the successful treatment considerably. Therapeutic modalities such as percutaneous CT-guided catheter drainage can be helpful to save lives, changing dramatically the clinical aspect of the patient. The objective of this paper is to review the indications and techniques of image-guided percutaneous treatment of pancreatic infected pseudocysts and to report our clinical experience and observations made during primary CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of infected abscesses.

Usefulness of CT-Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage Using a Modified Version of the Seldinger Technique for the Treatment of Intra-abdominal Small Abscess and Poorly Depicted Fluid Collection on Sonogram

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) using a modified version of the Seldinger technique for deep-seated, small abscesses and poorly depicted fluid collection on abdominal sonogram. Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine cases of CT-guided PCD were performed on 56 patients. Four techniques were applied to secure safe access routes, which include scan postural change, angulation of the gantry, traversal of organs, and using a dissecting needle which can push the intervening bowel. Three landmarks (depth of the front and back wall of the fluid collection and the end point of catheter advancement over the guide wire) were indicated on the drainage catheter for extracorporeal direct observation of moving distance and location of the catheter during the insertion process. The technical success rate, clinical outcome, complications, and instrumental impairments were reviewed. Results: The technical success rate was 100% (59/59), and no grave complications occurred. Four cases (7%) of crooked guide wire insertion were noted. The clinical outcome revealed a 95% (56/59) successful treatment rate and a 5% (3/59) failed treatment rate, which was caused by undissolved hematoma (1/59) and fistula (2/59). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that CT-guided PCD using a modified version of the Seldinger technique for deep-seated, small abscesses and poorly depicted fluid collections on an abdominal sonogram is useful in terms of accuracy and safety.