Potentially life-threatening neck abscesses: therapeutic management under CT-guided drainage.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of CT-guided drainage of potentially life-threatening neck abscesses.


METHODS
Between September 2001 and December 2003, 15 patients presented to the emergency room with potentially life-threatening neck abscesses. Their clinical condition was critical due to the abscess size (larger than 3 cm in diameter; mean diameter 5.2 cm, SD 0.91 cm) and/or abscess location. A CT scan was carried out immediately to assess the lesion. At the same time, under CT guidance, an 8 Fr trocar-type pigtail catheter was inserted, in order to drain the abscess. The decision to drain percutaneously was based on a consensus between the surgical, infectious disease and radiology teams . The catheter was kept in place until drainage stopped, and a follow-up scan was performed.


RESULTS
In 14 (93%) patients, the abscess was completely drained, and in 1 (7%) case the collection was still present because of multiple internal septation. That patient was treated by surgical management. The catheter was in place for a mean of 3 days (SD 0.96 day).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the fact that the number of our patients is small, CT-guided percutaneous drainage seems to be a fast, safe and highly effective low-cost method for the treatment of potentially life-threatening neck abscesses.
Thanos
L
L
Department of Radiology, Korgialeneio-Benakeio Red-Cross Hospital of Athens, Athanasaki 1 st., 11526 Athens, Greece. loutharad@yahoo.com
Mylona
S
S
Kalioras
V
V
Pomoni
M
M
Batakis
Nikolaos
N
D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D003287:Contrast Media; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media