J Korean Radiol Soc.  1997 Oct;37(4):631-634.

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage for Tuberculous Iliopsoas Abscess associated with Tuberculous Spondylitis

• Shin KH
• Kim YH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous catheter drainage of tuberculous abscess associated with tuberculous spondylitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In twelve patients (male:female = 1:2; mean age, 37.3 years) tuberculous abscess was diagnosed, and was treated by percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD). All patients had either a psoas or iliopsoas abscess and in two, a paravertebral abscess was also present. Four had bilateral lesions, one, a unilateral lesion, and one, paravertebral abscesses and bilateral psoas. The size of abscesses ranged from4x5x12cm to 6x9x30cm; four were septated and all were lobulated. Using an 8.5-14F catheter, 17 of 18 abscesses were percutaneously drained; Ultrasound guidance was used in 12 cases, and CT guidance in five.
RESULTS
The volume of drainage mater ranged from 150 to 1200 cc(mean, 600cc), and the duration of catheter insertion was 6-48 (mean, 17.4) days. In no patient did significant complications arise during or after drainage, and in all cases, follow-up studies using ultrasound, CT or MRI were performed. The duration of follow-up ranged from 3 to 35 (mean,15.4) months; during this time, no recurrence was noted.
CONCLUSION
Chemotherapy alone is sufficient for treating a small tuberculous psoas or iliopsoas abscess, but for a large abscess, adjuvant drainage is necessary.

Keyword

Abscess, percutaneous drainage; Tuberculosis, musculoskeletel

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Catheters*
Drainage*
Drug Therapy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Psoas Abscess*
Recurrence
Spondylitis*
Ultrasonography