Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscesses: an effective and safe procedure

Abstract

Percutaneous drainage of splenic abscesses has not yet become a common procedure due to the potential risk of bleeding and the danger of damage to neighbouring organs. We present our experience of percutaneous drainage in eight patients with splenic abscesses. Four patients were treated by therapeutic percutaneous needle aspiration of the fluid collection, and four by percutaneous trocar catheter insertion. All procedures were guided by ultrasound or computed tomography. The procedure was successful in all eight patients with no complications.