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Computed tomography-guided percutaneous abscess drainage in intestinal disease: factors associated with outcome.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the efficacy of computed tomography-guided percutaneous abscess drainage in intestinal disease. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent percutaneous abscess drainage for complications of intestinal disease with or without surgery between 1990 and 1994. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with 111 abscesses were identified. Causes of abscess included anastomotic leaks (35 percent), postoperative complications without leak (30 percent), and diverticular disease (23 percent). Complete success (no surgery necessary) was achieved in 53 of 82 patients (65 percent). Nine patients (11 percent) who underwent interval surgery were classified as having partial successes. Twenty-six of 26 (100 percent) well-defined unilocular collections containing pus were successfully drained. Complex abscesses (loculated, poorly defined, multiple, associated with fistula, draining feces) were successfully drained in 35 of 55 patients (63 percent). Success rates varied inversely with the number of complicating factors present. Apache II scores of 15 or higher were associated with decreased success rates. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous abscess drainage is a highly successful technique for treatment of patients with intra-abdominal infection related to intestinal disease. Although several factors are associated with decreased success rates and multiple complicating factors combine to reduce success rates, no identifiable factor or combination of factors preclude the possibility of a successful outcome.

Abscess↗

Randomized controlled trial of primary fistulotomy with drainage alone for perianal abscesses.

PURPOSE: Primary fistulotomy may be advantageous for perianal abscesses because unlike ischiorectal abscesses, fistulas are more commonly found and can be laid open with full preservation of the external anal sphincters. Therefore, a randomized, controlled trial was conducted to compare primary fistulotomy with incision and drainage alone, specifically for perianal abscesses. METHODS: Fifty-two consecutive patients (43 males; mean age, 40 (standard error of mean, 2) years) with perianal abscesses were randomized to treatment by either incision and drainage (controls; N = 28) or fistulotomy (N = 24). Patients were followed up clinically for a mean of 15.5 (standard error of the mean, 0.7) months. Anorectal manometry was also performed before, six weeks, and three months after surgery. RESULTS: Persistent fistulas developing after surgery were significantly more common after incision and drainage (N = 7; 25 percent) than after fistulotomy (N = 0; P = 0.009). One patient in each group was also found to have a residual abscess, which required repeat drainage. All patients remained fully continent. The anal pressures after incision and drainage and fistulotomy were not significantly different. Operative time, hospital stay, and time for the wound to heal completely were the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary fistulotomy at the time of drainage for perianal abscesses results in fewer persistent fistulas and no added risk of fecal incontinence.

Abscess↗

Incidence, outcome, and proposed management of isolated abscesses complicating acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis. A prospective study of 140 patients.

In a prospective evaluation of 140 consecutive patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis demonstrated by computerized tomography (CT) in all cases, 22 (16 percent) were found to have an associated abscess without peritonitis. Thirteen of these 22 required surgery (seven during the first stay and six from 2 to 11 months after the acute episode; median, three months). Nine patients were treated conservatively, eight of whom are now totally asymptomatic 24 months after the initial attack (range, 10-47 months). There were 10 mesocolic abscesses (seven treated with antibiotics alone), nine pelvic abscesses (seven requiring surgery), and three intra-abdominal abscesses, all operated upon. These results suggest that mesocolic abscesses can usually be managed conservatively without drainage; should surgery be necessary, en bloc resection with immediate anastomosis can usually be safely performed. Pelvic and intraabdominal abscesses behave more aggressively and usually require a two-stage surgical procedure when initial percutaneous drainage cannot be performed or is felt to be hazardous.

Abdomen↗

Gas-containing pyogenic liver abscess--a case report and review of the literature.

The incidence of gas-containing pyogenic liver abscess is exceedingly rare. We report herein, a case of a 36-year-old Japanese woman with a gas-containing pyogenic liver abscess associated with diabetes mellitus and cholelithiasis. An abdominal plain X-ray film, which showed a fine air-fluid level in the liver at an up-right position, enabled us to easily diagnosed a gas-containing liver abscess. Echo-guide percutaneous drainage revealed the organism to be Escherichia coli, however, although this treatment has recently been employed often in the treatment of pyogenic liver abscesses, especially single abscesses, it did not prove effective in this case. We finally cured the gas-containing pyogenic liver abscess by operative drainage.

Adult↗

Pott's disease with unstable cervical spine, retropharyngeal cold abscess and progressive airway obstruction.

PURPOSE: Retropharyngeal abscess formation has the potential for acute respiratory compromise from obstruction or secondarily from rupture. The initial attempt to secure the airway is of paramount importance. We describe a patient with an unstable cervical spine secondary to Pott's disease who developed progressively obstructing retropharyngeal cold abscess. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 33-yr-old man with an unstable C-spine in halo traction presented with progressive airway obstruction secondary to retropharyngeal abscess extending from the cervical to the mid-thoracic vertebrae. After review of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) studies, preparations were made to secure the airway through fibreoptic assisted intubation. A conservative approach was chosen to secure the airway before surgical airway control as a first line approach. Following local and topical anesthesia, awake endoscopy was performed to assess the extent of obstruction and possibility of intubation without abscess rupture. A narrow tract along the lateral pharynx was identified to continue inferiorly to the epiglottis, from which point the cords were visualized. Extensive edema and abscess formation otherwise distorted the normal anatomy and prevented visualization from other directions. The airway was successfully secured without trauma with a well-lubricated 7.0 mm ID endotracheal tube. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that selected cases of tense obstructing retropharyngeal abscesses can be effectively managed with fibreoptic endoscopy for assessment and subsequent intubation before requiring surgical airway control as a first line strategy.

Adult↗

Abscess of the spleen.

Abscess of the spleen is a very rare lesion. In this study, 4 cases of splenic abscess are presented and discussed along with the literature. The cases were between 16 and 55 years-old and two of them had hematologic malignancy. All of them had been operated on because of acute abdomen, and in two cases splenic rupture was present. Only in one of the cases was salmonellosis detected by microbiological methods. By histological examination, expansion and congestion in splenic sinusoids, and foci of abscess including wide areas of necrosis and inflammatory infiltration by neutrophils were seen in all cases. The most frequent cause of splenic abscess is septic embolism arising from bacterial endocarditis. There are also a few splenic abscess cases seen with malignancies. While splenic abscess is seen rarely, it has a high rate of mortality when it is diagnosed late.

Abscess↗

Hepatic abscesses in elderly patients mimicking metastatic disease.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable overlap between the clinical presentation and radiological appearances of hepatic abscesses and hepatic metastases. The distinction is important given the treatable nature of hepatic abscesses compared with most forms of metastatic disease and the very high morbidity and mortality associated with untreated or missed pyogenic abscesses. AIMS: The aim of this series of case reports is to illustrate this point by presenting the case histories of three elderly patients whose clinical and radiological findings suggested metastatic liver disease, but who were subsequently proven to have liver abscesses. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the clinical and radiological records of three patients. RESULTS: Ultrasound and computer tomography (CT) imaging in all three cases was suggestive of metastatic liver disease. The liver lesions were subsequently proven to be abscesses either by autopsy, needle aspiration or inspection at open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Liver abscesses can mimic metastatic deposits. Correlation with the white cell count (WCC) can be very helpful. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of liver lesions should be undertaken, especially if the WCC is elevated.

Aged↗

Technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime leucocyte scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of cerebral abscesses.

The diagnosis of brain abscess is often difficult, as the clinical symptoms are not specific. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are highly sensitive, but different cerebral lesions, especially neoplasms, can have the same ring-like contrast enhancement. Brain abscess is a severe illness requiring rapid diagnosis to choose the most appropriate therapy. Technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO)-labelled leucocyte scintigraphy is commonly used to detect an inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to present the results obtained with leucocyte scintigraphy in 65 patients with intracranial mass lesions and clinical findings compatible to or suggestive of brain abscess. The final diagnosis, based on surgery, clinical findings and stereotatic puncture, was brain abscess in 17 patients, primary brain neoplasm in 22, brain metastasis in 16, lymphoma in 2, cysticercosis in 2, hematoma in 2 and cerebral infarction in 4. 99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy was positive in all abscess cases. The scan was negative in the rest of the patients examined, with the exception of one lesion, which was finally diagnosed as a tumour (1 false-positive). All patients who did not have false-negative scans were treated with steroids. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of leucocyte scintigraphy was 100%, 97.8% and 98.4%, respectively. In conclusion, in our experience, leucocyte scintigraphy is a valuable aid in the differential diagnosis between abscess and neoplasm.

Adolescent↗

[Intra-abdominal abscess].

In more than 80% of cases, intra-abdominal abscesses derive from an intra-abdominal organ, and in most cases they develop after operative procedures. Regarding anatomy, intra-abdominal abscesses can be divided into intra-peritoneal and visceral abscesses and those located in the anterior retroperitoneal space. Despite improvements in ultrasonography, CT is still the most effective method in diagnosis and therapy. Percutaneous ultrasound or CT-guided drainage is a therapy characterized by low procedural morbidity and is successful in 80% of cases if strict criteria are met. Complicated abscesses and those cases in which the underlying disease has to be treated require surgical intervention. Most liver abscesses are treated interventionally; in abscesses of the pancreas or spleen and in Crohn's disease, surgery is necessary. The combination with sufficient antibiotic drug therapy is very important. Specific infectious diseases appearing as intra-abdominal conglomerates (tuberculosis, actinomycosis, amebiasis) lead to a delay in diagnostics because of their scarcity and are characterized by special patho-anatomical, diagnostic and therapeutic features. The crucial thing is to take a specific infection into consideration.

Abdominal Abscess↗

[Psoas abscess after anterior spinal fusion].

We present 3 cases of secondary psoas abscess after anterior spinal fusion. Psoas abscess is still a rare clinical entity. It is often associated with unspecific symptomatology and may present as late infection. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and treatment. Computed tomography is the imaging technology of choice. Treatment includes open abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy. In secondary psoas abscess causative treatment of the primary infection focus is essential. For psoas abscess after anterior spondylodesis this includes treatment of a deep wound infection. Predisposing factors for postoperative infection are large implants, bone grafting, long operating times, previous spinal surgery, immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders. Usually several operations are necessary to eradicate infection. As long as stability is guaranteed, implant materials should be removed. Continuing antibiotic therapy for 2-3 weeks after normalization of infectious parameters is suggested. Delayed therapy results in an increase of the morbidity and mortality of psoas abscess.

Adult↗

MRI of pituitary abscess: two cases and review of the literature.

Pituitary abscesses, rare lesions, may be divided into primary and secondary types. Primary pituitary abscesses occur within a previously healthy gland, while secondary abscesses arise within an existing lesion, such as an adenoma, craniopharyngioma, or Rathke's cleft cyst. Secondary abscesses share radiologic characteristics with the lesions from which they arise. There has been no review of the MRI characteristics of primary pituitary abscesses. We report two cases and review the literature. The typical primary pituitary abscess gives the same or slightly lower signal than brain on T1-weighted images, and could be mistaken for a solid mass or presumed to represent a pituitary adenoma. Contrast-enhanced images are useful, demonstrating absence of central enhancement, suggesting a fluid or necrotic center. In one of our cases, meningeal enhancement was obvious; this has not been reported previously and may be diagnostic, when associated with a rim-enhancing pituitary mass.

Adenoma↗

MR imaging evaluation of subacute and chronic bone abscesses in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in subacute and chronic bone abscesses in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients underwent MR imaging because of suspected musculoskeletal infections between January 1996 and January 1999 in Montreal Children's Hospital. The clinical, radiographic, scintigraphic and MR imaging features of patients with a bone abscess were studied. RESULTS: Eleven patients had osteomyelitis with no bone abscess and six had osteomyelitis with a subacute or chronic bone abscess. Although the lucency was eventually seen on plain radiographs in all cases, MR imaging made a significant contribution, as it helped narrow the differential diagnosis and showed better delineated medullary involvement and extension into the epiphysis. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is valuable in the diagnostic evaluation of children with bone infection and abscess. It reveals the extent of subperiosteal and epiphyseal involvement not seen on plain radiographs. The extent of the medullary involvement around the abscess is best visualized with MR imaging, which can also distinguish between isolated soft tissue infection adjacent to bone and true bone infection.

Abscess↗

Ilio-psoas abscess in the paediatric population: treatment by US-guided percutaneous drainage.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided percutaneous drainage has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to surgery in the management of psoas abscess in adults and adolescents. There is little information on its use in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration and catheter drainage of ilio-psoas abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 14 children with 16 ilio-psoas abscesses (10 pyogenic and 4 tuberculous) who were treated by US-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (n = 5) or catheter drainage (n = 9) along with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. RESULTS: Percutaneous treatment was successful in 10 of the 14 patients; all showed clinical improvement within 24-48 h of drainage and subsequent imaging demonstrated resolution of the abscess cavities. Surgery was avoided in all of these ten patients except one, who underwent open surgical drainage of ipsilateral hip joint pus. Of the other four patients, two had to undergo surgical drainage of the ilio-psoas abscesses after failure of percutaneous treatment, one improved with antibiotics after needle aspiration failed to yield any pus, and one died of continuing staphylococcal septicaemia within 24 h of the procedure. There were no procedural complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous drainage represents an effective alternative to surgical drainage as a supplement to medical therapy in the management of children with ilio-psoas abscesses.

Child↗

Role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous retromammary abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous abscess in the retromammary region. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Eight patients with tuberculous retromammary abscess were examined by CT and the findings were evaluated. A cold abscess (purulent collection with absence of acute inflammation) was aspirated in all cases. Diagnosis was confirmed by acid-fast bacillus culture, or histologic examination. RESULTS: CT showed a relatively well marginated, inhomogeneous, hypodense lesions in all eight cases. Following administration of intravenous contrast medium, these lesions showed enhancing walls, suggestive of an infective collection. Lung involvement was seen in one patient. A direct communication from the retromammary lesion through the thoracic wall into the pleura was seen in five cases. In four cases destroyed rib fragments within the abscess were noted. CONCLUSION: A tuberculous abscess in the retromammary region is usually shown on CT as a focal, well-marginated, inhomogeneous, hypodense lesion with a surrounding enhancing rim. A direct communication with the pleura, a destroyed rib fragment in the abscess, and associated lung involvement may be revealed by CT.

Abscess↗

The specific gallium-67 scan uptake pattern in psoas abscesses.

A psoas abscess is a rare clinical entity that presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In this retrospective study, we reviewed gallium-67 scan findings in cases of psoas abscess to determine the specific uptake pattern and the usefulness of 67Ga scans in diagnosis and management. Fifteen psoas abscess lesions in 13 patients who had undergone a 67Ga scan during an 8-year period were found in the hospital computer. All but two of the patients had been diagnosed as having fever of unknown origin, urinary tract infection or another irrelevant disease prior to the 67Ga scan. Of the 15 psoas abscess lesions, 12 (80%) could be clearly diagnosed on the basis of the specific 67Ga uptake pattern, in which: (1) the oblique direction of the 67Ga-avid lesion correlates with the orientation of the psoas muscle from the lumbar region to the hip joint region; (2) the lesion does not cross the abdominal midline; (3) the lesion goes through the inguinal region; and (4) the lesion involves at least two-thirds of the whole length of the psoas muscle. The specific features may help in the differentiation of psoas abscess from other intra-abdominal lesions or normal bowel distribution, especially with single-photon emission tomographic images. In 7 of 13 patients (53.8%) the 67Ga scan findings contributed to the clinical management of the patients by first detecting the focus of the infection. Multiple concomitant 67Ga-avid lesions were found in ten patients. In conclusion, the specific features as well as the whole-body survey with 67Ga scan are useful and important in the diagnosis of psoas abscesses and the detection of unexpected concomitant multiple infectious foci in clinically suspicious infectious disease patients.

Adult↗

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the liver: distinguishing hepatic abscess from cystic or necrotic tumor.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the ability of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to differentiate between hepatic abscess and cystic or necrotic liver tumor. METHODS: DW MR imaging was performed in 18 patients who had liver masses with large cystic or necrotic cavities detected by computed tomography or ultrasonography. The final diagnoses were pyogenic abscess (five cases), fungal abscess (one), hepatocellular carcinoma (five), cystic metastasis (four), and hepatic cyst (three). Signal intensities on the DW images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were noted. ADCs in all lesions were calculated and compared with Student's t test. RESULTS: All lesions, except hepatic cysts, showed either heterogeneous or homogeneous rim enhancement on postgadolinium images. All abscess cavities showed hyperintensity on DW images and hypointensity on ADC maps. Conversely, the cystic or necrotic portions of all tumors showed hypointensity on DW images and hyperintensity on ADC maps. The mean ADCs (mm(2)/s) were 0.67 +/- 0.35 x 10(-3) in hepatic abscess, 2.65 +/- 0.49 x 10(-3) in cystic or necrotic tumor, 2.93 +/- 0.52 x 10(-3) in hepatic cyst, and 1.98 +/- 0.37 x 10(-3) in normal liver parenchyma. CONCLUSION: DW MR imaging, with the help of ADCs, may be a useful noninvasive imaging technique in differentiating hepatic abscess from cystic or necrotic tumor.

Cysts↗

Iliopsoas abscess: a report of 24 patients diagnosed by CT.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to define the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis, etiology, and treatment of iliopsoas abscess. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (18 men, six women; age range = 17-86 years) with iliopsoas abscesses diagnosed over 8 years were retrospectively reviewed. All presented with fever and elevated white blood cell counts. Twenty-one had abdominal, flank or pelvic pain and nine had specific psoas signs suggesting the diagnosis. RESULTS: Seventeen of the abscesses were right-sided. Twenty were regarded as secondary to various underlying causes that were clearly demonstrated on CT and related to gastrointestinal (n = 12), skeletal (n = 5), or urinary tract (n = 3) diseases. All patients received appropriate antibiotic treatment. Thirteen also had their abscesses drained and eight had definitive surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: CT is an effective imaging technique for diagnosing iliopsoas abscess, even when classic clinical signs are absent. Treatment by percutaneous drainage under CT guidance is another advantage. When a psoas abscess is a complication of Crohn's disease, resection of the affected bowel segment is recommended in addition to drainage because drainage alone even in conjunction with appropriate medical therapy is usually not effective.

Adult↗

Perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano in infants: a different entity?

PURPOSE: The features of perianal abscess and fistula-in-ano in infants are different from those of older children, and there is controversy regarding their treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of various methods used for their management. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the records was conducted for all infants younger than 24 months of age treated for perianal abscess, fistula-in-ano, or both from 1990 to 2002. RESULTS: The study included 98 infants. Perianal abscess was found in 77 patients (75 males), and fistula-in-ano in 21. No infant had an underlying illness. Drainage was performed by needle aspiration in 47 patients and by incision and drainage in 5. Following drainage, 43 patients received antibiotics. Altogether, 6 infants were treated with antibiotics alone and 19 with local care alone. Twenty-eight boys (36.4 percent) had an evolution toward fistula-in-ano. Patients who received antibiotics following drainage were less likely to develop fistula-in-ano than were patients who underwent a drainage procedure alone (27.9 percent vs. 66.7 percent, P < 0.05). All patients with fistula-in-ano were male and had been previously treated for perianal abscess (21 patients elsewhere and 28 in our department). Spontaneous cure of fistula-in-ano occurred in 42.9 percent of them (average 3.2 months), and 57.1 percent underwent fistulectomy for persistent fistula-in-ano. Cryptotomy was added when an involved crypt was found (11 patients, 39.3 percent). No recurrence of fistula-in-ano was noted after fistulectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Local treatment for perianal abscess during the early stage and drainage by needle aspiration during the progressive stage are effective. Antibiotics may be considered for patients undergoing drainage of perianal abscess. Fistula-in-ano can be managed conservatively for one to three months. For a persisting fistula, fistulectomy with cryptotomy (when abnormal anal crypts are found) is the preferred treatment.

Abscess↗