CT-guided percutaneous aspiration and drainage of abscesses.

CT-guided procedures were attempted in 103 patients suspected of having abscesses. CT-guided procedures were performed for diagnostic specimens in 70 patients; they were successful in 30 of 34 sterile collections and 33 of 36 abscesses. In another 33 patients, diagnostic aspiration was performed and percutaneous drainage was attempted; aspirations were successful in 33 of 33 and drainage in 28 of 33 cases. Of the five not drained, four were undrainable because of anatomic extent or high viscosity of the purulent material. The fifth was a necrotic, squamous cell tumor erroneously thought to be an abscess. No complications were encountered. CT-guided procedures are an effective method for obtaining diagnostic specimens in selected patients.