Computed tomographic guidance of percutaneous needle aspiration and drainage of abdominal abscess.

Percutaneous thin needle aspiration biopsy (TNAB) of solid abdominal masses is an established technique. Combining the techniques of TNAB with those of percutaneous biliary and renal drainage can result in successful nonoperative management of abdominal abscesses. Twenty consecutive patients were referred for this procedure. TNAB alone was performed in 4 patients. TNAB followed by percutaneous drainage was accomplished in 16 patients. Of the 4 patients who had TNAB alone, it was curative in 2, and 2 were elected to have surgical drainage. Of the 16 patients who underwent percutaneous drainage, it was curative in 14. One patient was discovered at surgery to have a necrotic malignant tumor. A second patient required surgery.