[Percutaneous catheter drainage of a thyroid abscess under CT control]

A large cervical abscess originating from the thyroid gland was treated by means of irrigational catheter drainage performed percutaneously with CT guidance. Culturing resulted in the growth of Streptococcus. Catheter drainage associated with appropriate antibiotic therapy resulted in healing of the abscess after only 3 days with no complications occurred. This case suggests that CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage may be an effective and safe alternative to surgical therapy in the neck area as well as in other regions of the body.