Image-Guided Drainage Procedures

Drainage of abscesses and other fluid collections is one of the most commonly performed image-guided procedures. It is most commonly performed under ultrasound or CT guidance. Being a less invasive procedure, image-guided drainage is preferred over surgical drainage for abscesses that are located within the abdominal or thoracic cavities. It is associated with less morbidity than surgical drainage. Fluid collections are drained when they become infected or cause pressure symptoms. Single-time aspiration is sufficient for small collections, while catheter drainage is necessary for large ones. Diagnostic aspiration of pleural effusion or ascites is done when the etiology is in doubt and therapeutic drainage is done when it causes respiratory distress or becomes infected. Meticulous planning of the approach and proper execution can help avoid procedure-related complications.