Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Debridement and Drainage for Pancreatic Abscess
Published on: March 15, 2024
Image-guided drainage of multiple intraabdominal abscesses in children with perforated appendicitis: an alternative
Jeffrey W McCann1, Sanjay Maroo, Paul Wales
1Image Guided Therapy, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, M5G 1X8, Ontario, Canada. jwjmccann@hotmail.com
Insights
Image-guided drainage effectively treats complicated appendicitis in children with multiple abscesses. This minimally invasive approach offers a high success rate, reducing the need for extensive surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Abdominal Imaging
Background:
- Appendicitis is a leading cause of acute abdomen in children.
- Perforated appendicitis frequently presents with multiple intraabdominal collections.
- Surgical intervention alone is often insufficient for complex cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of image-guided drainage for acute appendicitis with multiple intraabdominal collections.
- To assess the role of minimally invasive procedures in managing complicated appendicitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient charts and interventional radiology records.
- Analysis of drainage procedures, aspirations, drain dwell time, and clinical outcomes.
- Inclusion of data on inpatient stay and complications.
Main Results:
- 42 children with complicated appendicitis were treated.
- A total of 100 drainage catheters and 56 aspirations were performed.
- Image-guided intervention achieved a 92.3% success rate, with a mean inpatient stay of 15.02 days.
Conclusions:
- Multiple minimally invasive image-guided drainage procedures are successful in managing acute perforated appendicitis with multiple intraabdominal abscesses.
- This approach provides an effective alternative for complex pediatric appendicitis cases.
Background:
Appendicitis is the most common cause of an acute abdomen in children. With perforation, multiple intraperitoneal collections can be seen at presentation. In this situation, surgical treatment alone is rarely effective.
Objective:
To determine the role of image-guided drainage in treating patients with acute appendicitis complicated by multiple intraabdominal collections.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review of patient charts and interventional radiology records was performed to identify all patients with acute complicated appendicitis treated by multiple image-guided drainage procedures. Data reviewed included the number of drainages and aspirations performed, drain dwell time, the clinical course and temperature profile, and the length of inpatient hospital stay and any complications experienced.
Results:
The study population comprised 42 children with a mean age of 107.6 months. A total of 100 drainage catheters were inserted and 56 aspirations were performed. Of the 42 children, 24 were successfully treated at a single sitting, while 18 returned for further intervention. The mean drain dwell time was 8.18 days. The mean inpatient stay was 15.02 days. Treatment of the acute presentation with image-guided intervention was successful in 92.3% of children.
Conclusion:
Successful management of acute perforated appendicitis with multiple intraabdominal abscesses can be achieved with multiple minimally invasive image-guided drainage procedures.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:22Appendicitis-I: Introduction
Etiology: Appendicitis can arise from various causes, primarily rooted in the obstruction of the appendix lumen. Factors contributing to this obstruction include fecal accumulation, lymphoid hyperplasia and, in...
01:19Appendicitis