title: The drain-tract sinogram. Guide to the removal of drains and the diagnosis of postoperative abdominal sepsis.
abstract: Sinography via previously established abdominal drains or tracts from which drains had been removed may be useful in the diagnosis of postoperative intra-abdominal sepsis. Six cases are presented in which drain tract sinograms with water-soluble contrast facilitated the diagnosis of otherwise cryptic intra-abdominal abscesses, retroperitoneal abscesses, or enteric leaks. In addition, repeated drain tract sinograms can be used to determine the proper timing of intra-abdominal drain removal and may avoid the septic complication of drain removal in cases of residual intra-abdominal sepsis or undiagnosed enterocutaneous fistula.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D018805:Sepsis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*