[Percutaneous drainage of hepatic pyogenic abscess: management efficacy]

To show the success of percutaneous drainage combined with an antibiotic therapy in the management of hepatic pyogenic abscess.

Health histories of 24 patients diagnosed with hepatic pyogenic abscess were evaluated in the Unit of Vascular and Intervention Radiology (URVI) of the Eduardo Rebagliatti Martins Hospital and were checked, during the time period beginning in January 2001 and ending in June 2002. 23 patients underwent percutaneous drainage, guided by echography.

A total of 36 abscesses were found, with an average diameter of 6,78 cm (3-18cm); the most common location was on the right (78%). In 37,5% of the patients, the cause of the abscess could not be determined; in 33,3%, the cause was determined after surgical intervention, primarily cholecystectomy (12,5%). Pseudomona (12,5%) was the species most found in cultivation. Only 28 abscesses were drained percutaneously. On average, drainage lasted 15,8 days, and there was an average of 3,6 controls per patient. There was 89,30% overall success for the procedure with three documented errors.

Percutaneous drainage in conjunction with proper antibiotic coverage is efficient in the management of hepatic pyogenic collections, and its use must be generalized.