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[A case of psoas abscess due to renal pelvic carcinoma complicated with non-ketotic hyperosmolar diabetic coma].

A 85-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of semicomatous status. Laboratory data on admission showed elevation of blood sugar (823 mg/dl) and serum osmotic pressure (345 mOsm/l), but ketonuria was not detected. Non-ketotic hyperosmolar diabetic coma was diagnosed. The insulin infusion and physiological saline improved the blood sugar level and consciousness within a day. The abdominal ultrasound examination revealed an abscess in the left kidney and right psoas muscle. The same findings were seen by abdominal computed tomography but the possibility of malignant neoplasm of the left kidney could not be ruled out because of a swelling of the left adrenal gland. Pain associated with psoas abscess and low grade fever were observed. Because of his poor general condition, drainage of the abscess was not performed and conservative therapy using antibiotics was administered. Without any improvement of the abscess, he died due to general deterioration four months later. Autopsy findings showed carcinoma of the left renal pelvis and metastasis to the right psoas muscle, left adrenal gland, liver, bilateral lungs and lymph modes. Psoas abscess is a relatively uncommon disease, especially in elderly patients. The etiology of the disease is divided into primary and secondary causes. Most secondary psoas abscess cases are caused by intestinal diseases, and Crohn's disease has been related to the highest incidence. A few cases of psoas abscess caused by colorectal carcinoma have been reported. Ultrasound and computed tomography are useful in diagnosing this disease and drainage of an abscess is necessary for therapy and proving the cause. Cancer metastasis should considered in differential diagnoses, when psoas abscess is seen in elderly patients.

Aged↗

Experimental brain abscess development in the chronically immunosuppressed host. Computerized tomographic and neuropathological correlations.

The neuropathological progression of brain abscess formation was studied experimentally in paired immunosuppressed and control dogs. The immunosuppressed animals received azathioprine and prednisone beginning 7 days prior to intracerebral inoculation with alpha streptococcus. Histological findings were correlated with computerized tomography (CT) brain scans. The evolution of brain abscess in the immunosuppressed animals could be divided into three stages based on histological evaluation: cerebritis stage (1 to 11 days), early-capsule stage (12 to 17 days), and late-capsule stage (18 days and later). There was a significant delay in the evolution of alpha streptococcus brain abscess compared to the authors' previous studies. Histologically, abscesses in immunosuppressed dogs were characterized by a decrease and delay in collagen formation, a reduction in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages, longer persistence of bacterial organisms, and an increase in gliosis. During the cerebritis stage, abscesses in control animals were consistently larger and more edematous than those in immunosuppressed animals and reached their maximum size by Day 8, whereas abscesses in immunocompromised animals reached their maximum size around Day 12. In the late-capsule stage, abscesses in immunosuppressed animals remained larger than those of control animals and continued to show signs of delayed development. This was evidenced by diffusion of contrast medium into the lucent center of ring-enhancing lesions on delayed CT scans. The results suggest that the decreased inflammatory response and edema formation in the immunosuppressed host resulted in less initial mass effect from brain abscess, but that the eventual size and area of the abscess may have become larger due to the less effective host response.

Animals↗

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of splenic abscess: a review of 67 cases in a single medical center of Taiwan.

AIM: To analyze 67 cases of splenic abscess in a medical center of Taiwan during a period of 19 years. METHODS: From January 1986 to December 2004, a total of 67 patients with splenic abscess were enrolled for the retrospective study. The clinical characteristics, underlying diseases, organism spectra, therapeutic methods, APACHE II scores, and mortality rates were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 41 males and 26 females with the mean age of 54.1+/-14.1 years. Multiple splenic abscesses (MSA) account for 28.4% and solitary splenic abscess in 71.6% of the patients. Twenty-six of sixty-seven patients (35.8%) had extrasplenic abscesses, with leading site of liver (34.6%). Microbiological cultures were positive in 58 patients (86.6%), with 71.8% in blood culture and 93.5% in abscess culture. Gram negative bacillus (GNB) infection predominated (55.2%), with leading pathogen of Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.4%), followed by gram positive coccus (GPC) infection (31%). Splenectomy was performed in 26 patients (38.8%), percutaneous drainage or aspiration in 21 (31.3%), and antibiotic therapy alone in 20 patients (29.9%). Eventually, 12 of 67 patients expired (17.9 %). By statistics, spleen infected with GNB was likely to develop multiple abscesses compared with infection with GPC (P=0.036). Patients with GNB infection (P=0.009) and multiple abscesses (P=0.011) experienced a higher mortality rate than patients with GPC infection and solitary abscess. The mean APACHE II score of 12 expired patients (16.3+/-3.2) was significantly higher than that of the 55 survivals (7.2+/-3.8) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: MSA, GNB infection, and high APACHE II scores are poor prognostic factors. Early surgical intervention should be encouraged when these risk factors are present.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Epigastric appendiceal abscess with spontaneous drainage into the stomach.

The appendiceal abscess is a common complication of acute appendicitis and usually is located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. An epigastric appendiceal abscess has never been reported at an unusual location. We experienced an unusual case of a 49-year-old man with an epigastric appendiceal abscess. Initially, this abscess was suspected to be a pancreatic abscess. Abdominal CT scan and barium enema demonstrated a hyperrotated cecum with an appendiceal abscess in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. An gastroscopy revealed a small fistula-like lesion with purulent coating at the bulging posterior gastric wall. The abscess resolved spontaneously. We believe that the abscess drained into the stomach through a small fistula between the stomach and abscess cavity. There was no recurrence for over 6 months.

Abscess↗

[A case of cervico-mediastinal abscess, secondary to acute tonsillitis: investigation of the treatments].

No other infectious diseases in the field of otolaryngology cause rapid and lethal course than cervical abscess. A case of cervicomediastinal abscess secondary to acute tonsillitis was presented. The patient was a 43-year-old male with liver cirrhosis and primarily had the treatment of tonsillitis. The complication of duodenal perforation caused marked general deteriotation, and cervical abscess occured. Immediately after transfer to our department, he was treated by cervical drainage, laparotomy and chemotherapy. However, hepatic failure occured, and he died of sepsis on the 16th day after the onset of tonsillitis. Cervicomediastinal abscesses were classified according to severity in Stage 1-4. 34 cases of advanced cervical abscess were reported in Japan from 1976 to 1989. These cases were analyzed statistically in terms of primary focus of infection, surgical procedures, clinical isolates and chemotherapy, etc., and following results were obtained. 1) Primary focus; approximately 50% was due to the infection of the tonsills and the pharynx occupied about 50%, and the odontogenic infections, approximately 40%. 2) Surgical procedures; the neck doranaige approaching through the vertical incision resulted more effective. 3) Clinical isolates; aerobes and anaerobes accounted for 50% each of all strains. alpha-Streptococcus was predominant among aerobes, and Peptostreptococcus and Bacteroides were predominant among anaerobes. In order to confirm pathogenic bacteria of cervical abscess, clinical isolates of peritonsiller abscess and mandibular ostesis were compared with those of cervical abscess, because these infections are primary infectious diseases of cervical abscess.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abscess↗

Treatment of prostatic abscess: value of transrectal ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of transrectal ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration in the treatment of prostatic abscess. Fourteen patients with prostatic abscess were evaluated with this technique and treated with sonographically guided needle aspiration. Using this technique, all cases (100%) had one or more hypoechoic areas within the prostate that contained inhomogeneous materials; in 10 patients (71.0%), the lesion showed internal septa or solid portion. The margins of the hypoechoic area were well defined and thick in 11 patients (79.0%) and poorly defined in 3 patients (21.0%). The estimated volume of the prostatic abscess ranged between 2 and 28 ml (mean, 12.0 ml). The presence of a pus collection within the prostate was confirmed by transrectal ultrasonographically guided aspiration in all patients. However, successful treatment of prostatic abscess with transrectal needle aspiration was done in 12 (86.0%) of 14 patients; the treatment failed in 2 (14.0%) of 14 patients. One patient was treated with perineal incision and drainage and the other with transurethral resection. The amount of pus drained ranged between 1 and 39 ml (mean, 12.0 ml). On follow-up transrectal ultrasonographic examination, no remaining abscess pocket was found within the prostate in any of the cases. One year later, the prostatic abscess recurred in one case. In conclusion, transrectal ultrasonographic guidance is useful in the diagnosis of prostatic abscess as well as in the guidance for aspiration and the drainage of such abscesses. Transrectal ultrasonographically guided needle aspiration could be an effective method for treating prostatic abscess.

Abscess↗

Pyogenic liver abscesses of bacterial origin. A study of 45 cases.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the clinical, microbiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics of pyogenic liver abscesses of bacterial origin. METHODS: retrospective analysis of pyogenic liver abscesses diagnosed at the Aránzazu Hospital in San Sebastián (northern Spain) between 1989 and 1998. RESULTS: we studied 45 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses of bacterial origin (30 men, 15 women, mean age 61 years 11 months). The site of the liver abscess was biliary in 28.9% of the patients, portal in 11.1%, and unknown in 33.3%. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (95.5%), leukocytosis (86.7%) and fever (82.2%) were the most frequent clinical and laboratory findings. The abscesses were solitary in 55. 5% of the patients. Echography was diagnostic in 68.4% of patients, and computed tomography was diagnostic in 100%. Cultures of pus from the abscess and blood were positive in 77.1% and 50% respectively. Of the abscesses diagnosed as being of bacterial origin, 44.4% involved multiple organisms. Escherichia coli and Streptococcus milleri were the germs isolated most frequently. Percutaneous drainage was done in 22 patients (48.9%), with satisfactory results in 18. Overall mortality related with abscesses was 15.5%. CONCLUSIONS: the clinical presentation of pyogenic liver abscess did not vary during the study period. Computed tomography is fundamental for diagnosis and treatment. Percutaneous drainage associated with early antibiotic therapy is the treatment of choice.

Adult↗

Irrigation of liver abscess: proposal of a novel method and possible indications.

We present here two suggestive cases in considering the advantages and disadvantages of irrigation of pyogenic liver abscess: one patient developed an intrahepatic hematoma as an unusual sequela, while the other was successfully treated by abscess irrigation, overcoming failure of percutaneous catheter drainage and the patient's seriously ill condition. Based on these cases, we propose a novel method of liver abscess irrigation via percutaneous drainage tubes with the following three characteristics: 1) use of a drip infusion apparatus for irrigant instillation and drainage in order to avoid elevation of pressure in the abscess, a source of potential life-threatening sequelae, 2) addition of contrast medium to irrigant, and 3) employment of computed tomography in dynamic equilibrium of irrigant in order to evaluate the efficacy of current irrigation. Of interest was the parenchymal enhancement around the irrigated liver abscess revealed by computed tomography with this method, which suggested that dissemination of abscess contents may be inevitable with irrigation. Although the indications for liver abscess irrigation must be considered carefully given the critical sequelae potentially associated with it, the method we present can be used as a second-line trial exclusively for liver abscesses refractory to first-line treatment with percutaneous catheter drainage or needle aspiration, since it can be used not only as a therapeutic procedure with mechanical washing or dilution of abscess contents but also as a diagnostic aid enabling more effective subsequent treatment by defining the areas in which drainage and irrigation is not effective.

Aged↗

Crohn's disease of the colon. V. Retroperitoneal lumbocrural abscess in Crohn's disease involving the colon.

Retroperitoneal lumbocrural abscess occurred in 12 patients of 231 with Crohn's colitis or ileocolitis. Although all patients with this complication fell within the group of 175 ileocolitis patients, at least four originated in fistulous tracts of the colon. Eleven of the 12 abscesses developed spontaneously as the first major complication of the disease. The prominent clinical features included pain radiating down the thigh, hip joint flexion, difficulty in walking, hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Internal and external fistulas were significantly more common in the abscess group of 12 patients than in the 219 patients without retroperitoneal abscess. Radiological evidence of granulomatous disease was found in all patients; fistulous tract formation was characteristic and the development of extraperitoneal gas bubbles, in four patients, pathognomonic of abscess with gast-forming organisms. In the presence of established retroperitoneal abscess, the surgical sequence suggested is drainage synchronous with, or followed by diversion and ultimately definitive resection. Resection with anastomosis should not be carried out in the presence of an acute inflammatory process with frank abscess or free pus communicating with the peritoneal cavity. The spontaneous development of retroperitoneal abscess is a serious development in the natural history of Crohn's (ileo) colitis. It frequently heralds the first of a series of operative procedures to deal with the abscess. It sequels are enterocutaneous fistulas and further extension of the disease process.

Abscess↗

[Brain abscesses of otogenic origin].

Chronic inflammation of the middle ear is the most frequent cause of otogenic complications. Meningitis is the most frequent otogenic intracranial complication, followed by otogenic brain abscesses, while other complications are significantly less frequent. The study is aimed at presenting clinical causitry of otogenic brain abscesses consequential to chronic suppurative otitis in order to evaluate modern diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. The study was retrospective and included the patients treated at the Institute of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Clinical Centre of Serbia diagnosed with otogenic brain abscess during a five-year period (1996-2000). A total of 9 patients (male to female ratio 8:1), aged 16-68 years, were assessed. The following parameters were analyzed: sex, age groups, place of living, occupation, number of hospitalizations, diagnostic procedures, symptoms and clinical signs of otogenic complications, other otogenic complications associated with brain abscess, endocranial localization of otogenic abscess, therapeutic procedures (oto-surgical treatment) and intraoperative otological findings. In our group of patients, otogenic brain abscesses were significantly more frequent in male patients in their forties, with median age of 33.5 years. As for the place of living, the patients from the provinces were more frequent, while with respect to their level of education, those with elementary or high school degrees were predominant. The inflammatory process most frequently spread into the endocranium through direct destruction of the bone walls of the middle ear. Diagnostic procedures included history, clinical otorhinolaryngological examination, audiological and vestibulological assessment, neurological ophthalmologic and radiographic examinations (CT, MRI). CT is the most reliable diagnostic tool enabling localization of the change, timing of surgical treatment and monitoring of surgical success. Presence of other otogenic complications associated with brain abscess was evidenced in six of our patients. Cerebral localization of abscess was more frequent (7). Four patients underwent previous oto-surgical treatment. The treatment included primary neurosurgical approach (radical extirpation or abscess drainage), followed by radical oto-surgical treatment after improvement of the patient's general condition.

Adult↗

Splenic abscess: clinical features, microbiologic finding, treatment and outcome.

Splenic abscess is a rare clinical entity but may be underreported. A retrospective study at Srinagarind Hospital revealed 60 cases of splenic abscess between 1992 and 2001. The causative organisms were identified in 41 cases (68.3%). Gram negative bacilli were commonly isolated and Burkholderia pseudomallei was the most predominant. Diabetes mellitus and leukemia were common underlying diseases found in 46.3 per cent and 9.7 per cent of culture confirmed cases, respectively. The patients usually presented with fever, left upper quadrant pain, tenderness and splenomegaly. Multiple abscesses were more commonly found in the melioidosis than in the non-melioidosis group (p = 0.032), but a single abscess was more commonly found in the non-melioidosis than in the melioidosis group (p = 0.032). Concurrent liver abscesses, often multiple, were not different in both groups. Antimicrobials alone were given in 66.7 per cent of cases with melioidosis and 64.7 per cent of non-melioidosis group. Splenectomy and percutaneous aspiration were performed only in 29.3 per cent and 4.9 per cent of cases with splenic abscess. The overall mortality rate of splenic abscess was only 4.9 per cent in the present series. In conclusion, splenic abscess is not uncommon. Burkholderia pseudomalleli is the most common causative agent found in the present series. Therefore, it should be targeted in the initial empirical antibiotic therapy before the culture results are available especially when multiple lesions in the spleen and concurrent multiple liver abscesses are seen. Prolonged treatment with appropriate antimicrobials alone is usually effective. Splenectomy and/or aspiration may be useful in selected patients.

Abscess↗

[Clinical significance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in liver abscess].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has been emerging as the leading cause of liver abscess although the most common pathogen was Escherichia coli in the past. Our study was to clarify the significance of K. pneumoniae as a pathogen of pyogenic liver abscess. METHODS: We reviewed 157 cases of pyogenic liver abscess treated at Yeungnam University Hospital from 1996 to 2001. They were classified into two groups: K. pneumoniae group and non-K. pneumoniae group. The clinical presentations, characteristics of liver abscess, laboratory findings and the results of bacteriological studies were compared. RESULTS: The K. pneumoniae group included 60 (60.6%) cases among 99 cases with positive culture. We found higher incidence of alcoholics (45.0%) or diabetes millitus (35.0%) in K. pneumoniae group. Cryptogenic cause (61.7%) was the most frequent portal entry in K. pneumoniae liver abscess. On the other hand, in non-K. pneumoniae group, the cause of portal entry was usually the secondary (23.1%) following biliary disease (61.5%). Statistically, there was no significant difference in age, sex, symptom, characteristics of abscess, laboratory findings except total bilirubin level between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Liver abscess caused by K. pneumoniae has emerged as an important infectious disease with new clinical significance. When clinicians see pyogenic liver abscess in patients with alcoholics or diabetes millitus, K. pneumoniae should be considered first as a cause of liver abscess.

Aged↗

Neonatal hepatic abscess in preterm infants:a rare entity?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal pyogenic hepatic abscess in preterm infants is a rare entity. We present 6 cases of neonatal liver abscesses diagnosed in our hospital as well as an approach that will facilitate the early diagnosis and management of neonatal pyogenic liver abscess based on our case series and review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of all 6 patients diagnosed with neonatal liver abscess from January 2000 to December 2002 in KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. RESULTS: All neonates were premature with gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks. Persistence of positive blood culture despite appropriate antibiotic treatment in 67% of the cases prompted use of hepatobiliary ultrasounds to detect liver abscess. Surgical drainage of liver abscess was performed in 33% of the cases, with the remainder treated conservatively with appropriate intravenous antibiotics. Half of the infants recovered with resolution of their liver abscess on serial hepatobiliary ultrasound. The other half died of fulminant sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal pyogenic liver abscess, though rare, is associated with good outcome if diagnosed promptly and appropriate treatment instituted. In a preterm infant with sepsis, a high index of suspicion is required if there is persistence of positive blood culture despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, and hepatobiliary ultrasound should be done to detect and monitor neonatal liver abscess.

Decision Trees↗

[Otogenic brain abscess].

The authors report the 20-year experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with otogenic brain abscess. In the studies were included 36 patients of whom 24 had a cerebral abscess and 12 a cerebell abscess. The otogenic brain abscess was usually associated with meningitis (45%). Headache and temperature were common with otogenic intracranial complications. The active chronic otitis with cholesteatoma was usually found in the middle ear. The inflammatory process was usually spread in the endocranial space through destroyed walls of the midle ear. Computerized tomography (CT) is the most safe method in the diagnosis of brain abscess, by which it is possible to localyze the abscess, to plan the operation and follow-up the success of treatment. Neurological and ophthalmological examinations cannot always detect brain abscess. The authors suggest that in cases of brain abscess, it is important to neurosurgically remove the abscess. After improvement of the general condition of the patient, otosurgical procedure must be done. In this group of patients mortality is relatively high, both in abscessus cerebri (20%) and abscessus cerebelli (25%).

Brain Abscess↗

[Clinical features of liver abscess developed after radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been applied for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but procedure-related complications can be a serious problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical features of HCC patients who developed liver abscess after RFA and TACE, as compared to those patients without malignancy. METHODS: In our center, from December 1999 to March 2004, 31 cases of liver abscess developed after local treatment of HCC (13/751 after RFA and 18/8417 after TAE), which correspond to 5.1% of the total cases (602) of liver abscess. We evaluated the patients' clinical features, the abscess characteristics, the bacteriology, treatment modality, hospital days and mortality, as compared to those characteristics of 263 abscess patients without malignancy. RESULTS: The time required to diagnose liver abscess was longer in the TACE group (24.8+/-16.5 days) compared to that of the other two groups (12.2+/-9.0 days in the RFA group, 9.6+/-7.5 days in the controls, P=0.001). Gas-forming liver abscess is most frequently found in the RFA groups (76.9%). There were more hospitalized days for the TACE groups than for the RFA group and the controls (34.7+/-19.8 vs. 15.2+/-9.2 vs. 18.6+/-10.9 days, respectively, P<0.001). Two patients (11%) in the TACE group died of sepsis and liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: For the patients with prolonged fever after RFA and especially after TACE for HCC, a diagnosis of liver abscess should be suspected earlier to reduce the morbidity and mortality due to liver abscess per se and also the sepsis-related decompensation of the liver.

Adult↗

Endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with amebic liver abscess and biliary communication.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous drainage or surgery is required when amebic liver abscess (ALA) fails to respond to medical management. In some of these patients, non-response may be due to communication of ALA with the biliary tree. This report describes our experience with the use of endoscopic biliary draining in such patients. METHODS: Medical records of patients with ALA undergoing either needle aspiration or percutaneous pigtail drainage were retrieved; the indications for drainage were: abscess volume exceeding 250 mL, a thin rim of tissue (< 1 cm thick) around the abscess, systemic toxic features and failure to improve on medical treatment. Patients with abscess drain output >25 mL/day persisting for 2 weeks or presence of bile in the drain fluid underwent endoscopic biliary drainage. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients with ALA underwent percutaneous treatment. None of the 25 patients with needle aspiration needed any further treatment. Of the 90 who underwent catheter drainage, the catheter could be removed within one week in 77 patients; the remaining 13 patients (median age 42 years, range 24-65; all men) had an abscess-biliary communication. In them, the median catheter output was 88 mL/day (range 45-347) and 54 mL/day (28-177) at 2 days and 2 weeks after catheter placement. The drain fluid contained bile in all 13 patients and in addition contained pus in 10 patients. Eleven patients had a solitary abscess and two had multiple abscesses. Cholangiogram showed biliary communication in all 13 patients. All patients were treated with placement of 10F biliary endoprosthesis or 10F nasobiliary drain. Pigtail catheter was removed within 1 week in 11 of 13 patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with amebic liver abscess communicating with the biliary tree, biliary stenting may hasten clinical recovery and allow early removal of liver abscess catheter drain.

Adult↗

Liver abscess: a clinicopathological analysis of 82 cases.

Liver abscesses are a common pathology in India, but a strategy for effective treatment has not been established. Eighty-two patients with liver abscess were studied over a 4-year period. Clinical features, ultrasound findings, laboratory studies, and outcome of therapy were evaluated. Treatment options were antibiotics alone, needle aspiration, catheter drainage, or open surgical drainage; 51.2% of all abscesses were amebic, 23.2% were pyogenic, and 25.6% had unknown causes. A total of 75.6% of the abscesses were solitary, with 62.2% confined to the right lobe. Pyogenic abscesses were more likely to have anemia, leukocytosis, and deranged liver function. Amebic abscesses tended to have a larger volume. Patients undergoing catheter drainage showed a more rapid reduction in initial abscess volume, whereas resolution of the abscess cavity took longer with antibiotic therapy alone. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage are safe and effective in the management of liver abscess. Drug therapy alone may be useful only in select cases.

Adult↗

Sump catheter drainage of parotid abscess: an alternative to surgery.

It is a clinical challenge to distinguish patients with parotid abscesses from those with acute sialadenitis. A case of parotid abscess is presented in which a CT scan with intravenous contrast enhancement localized the abscess cavity and guided its aspiration and drainage with an indwelling catheter. By using this percutaneous technique, the need for early surgical intervention by incision and drainage was eliminated. The dense overlying parotid fascia and position of the deep parotid lobe make differentiating between these two clinical entities difficult. Parotid abscesses are readily apparent on computerized tomographic (CT) scanning evaluation with intravenous contrast enhancement, presenting as discrete fluid-filled areas unlike the amorphous appearance of acute sialadenitis. CT scanning with intravenous contrast enhancement has been the preferred radiographic study of choice for evaluating parotid masses or parapharyngeal masses. The treatment of a patient with acute sialadenitis differs from that of a patient with a parotid abscess. Patients with acute sialadenitis will usually respond to vigorous intravenous (IV) hydration, use of sialagogues and appropriate antibiotic coverage. Following a period of conservative treatment with antibiotics and warm soaks, patients with parotid abscesses will usually undergo an incision and drainage procedure, and later, parotidectomy. A case of parotid abscess is presented in which a CT scan with intravenous contrast enhancement localized the abscess cavity and guided its aspiration and drainage with an indwelling catheter. Percutaneous drainage of parapharyngeal abscesses guided by CT has been previously described by Cole. By using this percutaneous technique, the need for early surgical intervention by incision and drainage was eliminated.

Abscess↗