title: Ultrasound-guided drainage of subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk is feasible.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subcutaneous trunk abscesses are frequent, and current treatment options generally involve incision. By contrast, the standard care for breast abscesses is ultrasound-guided drainage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided drainage combined with antibiotics in the treatment of subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, 27 patients were treated with ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and oral antibiotics. Follow-up was performed at a 3-6-day interval, and the procedure was repeated if the abscess was not obliterated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment was initially successful in 25 of the 27 participants (93%); two patients went on to surgery. The median time from first treatment to the final control visit was nine days. The 25 patients with initial successful treatment were contacted after a median of 84 days, and six (24%) of these reported recurrence of an abscess at the puncture site. 88% of the patients reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with ultrasound-guided drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that ultrasound-guided drainage combined with antibiotics is feasible in the treatment of small subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk. Ultrasound-guided drainage was well-tolerated, had a high degree of success and short healing times. Additional randomised studies are needed to verify our findings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hvidovre Hospital, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. skjaer@dadlnet.dk
authors: Søren
authors: S
authors: Kjær
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Rud
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Bay-Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004009:Dicloxacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000382:microbiology*; D060726:Torso; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D004917:Erythromycin; D004009:Dicloxacillin