OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the efficacy of image-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) versus percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the treatment of intra-abdominal liquid collections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study involving 52 patients referred to our service for percutaneous treatment of abdominal liquid collections was carried out. Sixteen of these patients had intra-abdominal liquid collections (six patients with simple localized collections and ten patients with complex, multiseptated or multiple, collections). The volume of the collections ranged from 40 to 1,200 ml (median, 200 ml). PCD was performed in ten (62.5%) collections and PNA in six (37.5%) collections. Successful treatment was defined as complete resolution of the collection with both clinical and laboratorial recovery. RESULTS: Success was achieved in 75% of cases. The success rate was 100% and 60% in the groups submitted to PNA and PCD, respectively. Successful treatment was observed in 50% of the patients submitted to PCD with collections £ 200 ml, and in 75% of the patients with larger collections. Complete resolution with PCD was obtained in 33.3% of complex, 42.9% of infected and 100% of simple or sterile collections. Only two minor complications (transient bacteremia and cutaneous infection) due to the procedures were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that PCD and PNA are safe and effective in the treatment of intra-abdominal collections. In this study, needle aspiration was more effective than drainage, particularly for smaller collections.

Keywords: Intra-abdominal collections, Percutaneous needle aspiration, Percutaneous catheter drainage

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the efficacy of percutaneous needle aspiration and percutaneous catheter drainage, both guided by imaging methods, for the treatment of liver abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 52 patients referred to our service for percutaneous treatment of abdominal abscesses, 17 presented liver abscesses, 13 of which were considered noncomplex and four were considered complex (multiloculated, multiple or associated to fistulas). Percutaneous needle aspiration was performed in 7/17 patients and 10/17 patients were submitted to percutaneous catheter drainage. The method used was considered successful when there was complete abscess resolution with both clinical and laboratorial improvement. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in 82.4% of all cases. In the group submitted to percutaneous needle aspiration the rate of success was 57.1% and in the group submitted to percutaneous catheter drainage the rate of success was 100%. Successful treatment was achieved in 75% of the patients submitted to percutaneous needle aspiration for abscesses smaller than 100 ml, but in only 33.3% of the patients with abscesses between 100 and 250 ml. There was complete resolution of the abscesses with percutaneous needle aspiration in 75% of the simple abscesses and in 25% of the complex abscesses. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous catheter drainage is more effective than percutaneous needle aspiration for the treatment of liver abscesses. Needle aspiration may probably be used as a valid alternative for smaller and noncomplex abscesses.

Keywords: Liver abscesses, Percutaneous needle aspiration, Percutaneous catheter drainage