Percutaneous drainage of multiseptated hepatic abscess

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Multiseptated hepatic abscesses present unique challenges for treatment.
• Percutaneous drainage is a common initial approach for liver abscesses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous drainage for multiseptated hepatic abscesses.
• To determine the success rate and complications associated with this minimally invasive technique.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 13 patients with multiseptated hepatic abscesses treated with percutaneous drainage.
• Computed tomography (CT) guidance was used for all drainage procedures.

Main Results:

• Successful percutaneous drainage was achieved in 12 out of 13 patients.
• One patient required surgery due to viscous debris, and another needed a second drainage procedure for recurrence.
• Eleven successful drainages utilized a single catheter due to intercommunicating abscess cavities.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous drainage is a viable and effective treatment for multiseptated hepatic abscesses.
• The presence of multiple septations should not deter attempts at percutaneous catheter drainage.
• Minimally invasive drainage can be successful even in complex hepatic abscesses.