title: Lung abscess. Percutaneous catheter therapy.
abstract: Lung abscess was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage in 5 of 6 patients. Complete abscess resolution occurred in 4 patients, partial resolution in one, and no response in one. The duration of drainage ranged from 7 to 18 days (mean 15.5 days) in successful cases. The failure of drainage in one neurologically impaired patient was attributed to persistent aspiration. In 2 patients, concurrent pleural empyema was also cured. CT provided the anatomic details necessary for choosing the puncture site and avoiding puncture of the lung parenchyma. Percutaneous catheter drainage is a safe and effective method for treating lung abscess.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Shinn
authors.forename: Y W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Bahk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography