[Hepatic abscesses: is simple aspiration puncture with echography control an alternative to catheter drainage?].

UNLABELLED

Percutaneous drainage is currently the treatment of choice in liver abscess. The most commonly used technique is catheter placement but this procedure is not free of complications.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the safety and efficacy of needle aspiration in the treatment of liver abscesses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Non-random, prospective study of nine patients with pyogenic liver abscess who underwent simple needle aspiration with sonographic guidance.

RESULTS

In all patients, aspiration identified the etiologic agent. In eight patients (88.9%) the procedure was effective and in the remaining patients, the abscess was finally drained by sonographically guided catheter placement. In five patients, aspiration was successful at the first attempt and only one abscess required more than two attempts. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, needle aspiration with sonographic guidance is safe and effective in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscesses. Use of catheters is reserved for cases of rapid reaccumulation of exudate without general improvement in the patient.