Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging (IJRI)

Objectives: To assess the role of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the management of tuberculous ilio-psoas abscesses. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with 26 tuberculous ilio-psoas abscesses were subjected to PCD under real _time US guidance taking help of a pre-procedure CT for planning the route of catheter insertion. Results: Complete cure of the ilio-psoas abscesses could be achieved in 22 of 26 abscesses (84.6%). Average duration of drainage was 10 days. US / CT follow-up ranged from 3-24 months. PCD was a failure in four abscesses (15.4%). Two patients, one with bilateral abscesses, had recurrent abscesses while one patient had an abscess associated with extensive spondylo-discitis. No significant complication was encountered in the study. Conclusions: PCD is a simple, safe and very effective (success rate 84.6%) alternative to surgical drainage in the management of tuberculous ilio-psoas abscesses.