Percutaneous treatment of pyogenic liver abscess: a critical analysis of results

Nineteen patients who had pyogenic liver abscesses underwent percutaneous treatment assisted by computed tomography. Percutaneous drainage was performed with Fr 8-14 catheters in 12 patients and percutaneous aspiration in 7 patients. A solitary abscess was present in 15 patients and multiple abscesses were present in 4. The average drainage duration was 26 days. Successful treatment was obtained in 16 of 19 (84%) cases. One abscess recurred and was cured by repeat drainage. Two patients died. Reviewing 14 reports from the literature with a total of 252 patients treated percutaneously, an overall success rate of 77% and a mortality rate of 6% was found.