Ultrasound guided percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage.

Traditional management of abdominal abscess is according to classical surgical methods. Catheter or needle drainage of these abscesses, using ultrasound both as an imaging modality and as a monitor of technique, offers a safe and rapid method of drainage of all types of abdominal abscess and eliminates surgery in many patients. Eleven abdominal and retroperitoneal abscesses were satisfactorily drained under ultrasound control in ten patients. No abscess recurred, but in three patients subsequent surgery was performed, in one because the abscess was multiloculated, and in the other two to exclude underlying malignancy.