Periaortic fluid aspiration for recognition of infected graft: preliminary report.

Diagnostic aspiration of a periaortic fluid collection was performed four times on three patients suspected of aortic graft infection. One aspiration was positive for Staphylococcus epidermidis and the others were sterile. The results of aspiration were critical in determining if radical surgical treatment should be performed. CT guidance is well suited for this type of aspiration because it results in accurate needle placement without inadvertent puncture of bowel or the graft.