title: [Image guided drainage of pelvic fluid collections: results in 42 patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the etiology, location, and morphology of pelvic collection as well as the technique and results of image guided drainage.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 1996 to August 2002, we performed image guided drainage of pelvic fluid collections in 21 males and 21 females. In patients where a direct contact between the collection and the endocavitary probe was present, the drainage was performed either by transrectal or transvaginal approach using 10F, 12F, 14F or 16F catheters according to the viscosity of the fluid. When the patients were no longer septic, when drainage had stopped, the drains were removed at day 5. When a fistula was present, the drain was left in place until the fistula healed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common location of pelvic collections was the cul-desac (43%). A total of 81% of pelvic abscesses were digestive in origin, either from the colon or appendix. Transrectal or transvaginal drainage was possible in 83% of cases. Mean follow-up was 41 months. No drainage related complication was recorded. In two patients with collections of clear fluid, a simple aspiration was performed without insertion of a drain. In the 40 other patients, a drainage catheter was inserted. Twenty-nine patients were cured after 15 days of drainage. Two patients had recurrent collections. Image guided drainage failed in five patients, and all underwent successful surgical management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Image guided drainage of pelvic collections is a safe and effective procedure. Failures were due to initially undiagnosed pathology requiring surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'imagerie Tourville, 19 avenue de Tourville, Paris 75007, France.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bonnel
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Cornud
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liguory
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lefebvre
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Dazza
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies