Radiology, Vol 167, 447-451, Copyright © 1988 by Radiological Society of North America
Renal and related retroperitoneal abscesses: percutaneous drainage
D Sacks, MP Banner, SG Meranze, DR Burke, M Robinson and GK McLean
Department of Radiology, Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Pa.
Renal and related retroperitoneal abscesses cause significant morbidity and
mortality and almost always require drainage. The authors report 18 cases
of percutaneous drainage of renal and related retroperitoneal abscesses,
all of which were successfully managed. In 11 of these cases (61%),
percutaneous drainage constituted the only treatment required. In the
remaining seven (39%), the patients' clinical status improved after
percutaneous drainage, and they were able to undergo subsequent elective
nephrectomy with fewer complications. These results are comparable to those
achieved with percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage and justify the use
of percutaneous drainage for renal and related retroperitoneal abscesses as
the therapeutic procedure of choice.
