[Abscess and intra-abdominal fluid collections. Diagnosis and percutaneous drainage]

The diagnosis of intraabdominal abscess or fluid collections is considerably helped by the precise anatomic delineation yielded by ultrasound and CT-scan. However, the lack of complete specificity of these modalities necessitates needle aspiration for diagnosis. The indications of CT-scan or US guided percutaneous drainage have been expanded with operator experience. Most of intra-abdominal collection, purulent or not, intra or retroperitoneal can be percutaneously treated. Percutaneous drainage can either replace surgery or "temporarize" a critically ill patient until he is able to undergo surgical treatment.