Appendiceal abscess drainage.

Appendicitis is the most common abdominal inflammatory process in children, and the most frequent indication for abdominal drainage encountered in pediatric interventional radiology. Imaging in the diagnosis of appendicitis is evolving with CT becoming more common, although the incidence of perforation is not definitely improving. Tailored CT techniques for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis are designed to expedite care, but are not optimal in the diagnosis or characterization of abscesses. In the appropriate clinical setting the CT study needs to be altered for appropriate therapeutic planning. Drainage of appendiceal abscesses utilizes multiple techniques, some of which are more useful in children than adults. Image-guided drainage can facilitate a more limited surgery and can avoid repeat surgery from postoperative abscesses. Radiation doses must be minimized due to the increased risk in children. This article will discuss imaging in children with suspected appendiceal abscesses and drainage techniques.