[Atypical abdominal abscesses]

In case-histories of four patients the authors present an account on atypical abdominal abscesses which are late symptoms of advanced malignity of the large bowel or inflammatory intestinal disease. They discuss whether it is suitable to use percutaneous drainage or surgery. The latter holds despite the higher mortality a permanent place in the solution of serious intraabdominal infections, in particular if combined with malignity.