Potentially Life-Threatening Neck Abscesses: Therapeutic Management Under CT-Guided Drainage
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of CT-guided drainage of potentially life-threatening neck abscesses. Methods: Between September 2001 and December 2003, 15 patients presented to the emergency room with potentially life-threatening neck abscesses. Their clinical condition was critical due to the abscess size (larger than 3 cm in diameter; mean diameter 5.2 cm, SD 0.91 cm) and/or abscess location. A CT scan was carried out immediately to assess the lesion. At the same time, under CT guidance, an 8 Fr trocar-type pigtail catheter was inserted, in order to drain the abscess. The decision to drain percutaneously was based on a consensus between the surgical, infectious disease and radiology teams .The catheter was kept in place until drainage stopped, and a follow-up scan was performed. Results: In 14 (93%) patients, the abscess was completely drained, and in 1 (7%) case the collection was still present because of multiple internal septation. That patient was treated by surgical management. The catheter was in place for a mean of 3 days (SD 0.96 day). Conclusion: Despite the fact that the number of our patients is small, CT-guided percutaneous drainage seems to be a fast, safe and highly effective low-cost method for the treatment of potentially life-threatening neck abscesses.
- OSTI ID:
- 21088141
- Journal Information:
- Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 28, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.; www.springer-ny.com; This record replaces 39098212; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0174-1551
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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