US-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage as an alternative to open surgical drainage for uniloculated neck abscesses.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage as an alternative to open surgical drainage of uniloculated neck abscesses.


METHODS
Fifteen consecutive patients (11 female, four male; age range from 18 days to 78 years, mean 42.5 y +/- 22.4) diagnosed with deep neck infections associated with uniloculated neck abscesses were treated. The patients were originally scheduled for surgical incision and drainage after a period of unsuccessful treatment with antibiotics. US-guided needle aspiration (in 10 patients) and US-guided catheter drainage (in five patients) were performed under local anesthesia. Open surgical drainage was performed when US-guided drainage procedures failed.


RESULTS
Surgical open drainage was avoided in 13 of the 15 patients (87%). An average of 6 mL of pus was obtained in patients in the needle aspiration group and 140 mL of pus was drained by catheter. One patient had a recurrent pyogenic lymphadenitis at the same location and was treated successfully by repeated needle aspiration. No complications occurred in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
In a selected group of patients without imminent airway obstruction, most uniloculated neck abscesses may be managed initially by US-guided needle aspiration and catheter drainage before resorting to open surgical drainage.
Yeow
K M
KM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, No: 5, Fu Shing Street, Kwei Shan, Tao Yuan 333, Taiwan, ROC. kmyeow@adm.cgmh.com.tw
Liao
C T
CT
Hao
S P
SP
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography