TRANS-CUTANEOUS DRAINAGE OF ABSCESSES OF THE LIVER GUIDED BY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY SCAN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 155  (5) , 662-666
Abstract
Six instances of pyogenic abscess of the liver, diagnosed and localized by computed tomography scan, showed dramatic improvement after treatment by needle aspiration and antibiotics or percutaneous continuous aspiration and antibiotics. An intercostal trocar drain, 18F [French; catheter size] was used to obtain optimal drainage also of viscous purulent material and debris. After drainage was begun, improvement was rapid and without complications or mortality. From the literature, 59 patients were collected with abscesses of the liver treated by the same methods with a surprisingly low mortality, 1.5%. Continuous percutaneous drainage of the pyogenic abscess of the liver, guided by computed tomography scan or ultrasonography, may be the method of choice. Open surgical drainage should be limited to special instances.

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