Percutaneous aspiration in the treatment of renal abscess

The conventional treatment of a renal abscess has been surgical exploration, drainage and marsupialization of the cavity. There have been isolated reports in the literature regarding the successful use of systemic antibiotics alone in the management of patients with renal abscesses. We report a case in which percutaneous aspiration of a renal abscess led to successful non-operative management. In addition, 4 previously reported cases of renal abscesses treated with this modality are analyzed.