title: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transrectal aspiration of pelvic fluid collections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and diagnostic accuracy of endorectal ultrasound-guided aspiration and drainage of pelvic fluid collections.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent endorectal ultrasound-guided aspiration and/or drainage of pelvic fluid collections were included in this prospective study. Patients were prepared using bowel lavage and a single-dose antibiotic combination. The procedure was carried out in the lithotomy position usually without sedation. All aspirates were examined microbiologically and/or cytologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine patients [18 females and 11 males; median age, 67 years (range, 18-79)] underwent 33 endosonographic controlled aspirations. No procedure-related complications were encountered. In 22 cases (76%) the lesions were encountered following a surgical procedure. Fluid amounts varied between 5 and 750 ml. Fluids were sterile in 14 cases (42%). These fluid collections were hematomas, seromas, peritoneal cysts, and a mucocele. Microorganisms were found in the remaining 19 aspirations (58%), i.e., abscesses (n = 16) and infected hematomas (n = 3). A transrectal (n = 14) or transvaginal (n = 2) drainage catheter was placed in 16 patients under endosonographic guidance. Only two patients required a subsequent laparotomy for definitive treatment of their septic focus, whereas all other patients could be treated successfully by this conservative approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transrectal aspiration and drainage of pelvic fluid collections is a safe method with a favorable outcome because it avoids unnecessary operations in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University School of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany. m.sailer@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sailer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bussen
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiede
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019160:Endosonography; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011351:Proctoscopy; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography