PERCUTANEOUS CT-GUIDED ASPIRATION OF DEEP NECK ABSCESSES

Four patients with deep neck or retropharyngeal abscesses underwent CT -guided aspiration and drainage from either of two percutaneous approa ches, Percutaneous drainage contributed to prompt and/or dramatic clin ical responses in all four patients by effecting decompression of the abscess cavities and by improving the ability to assess infectious org anisms. There were no complications in this small group, Percutaneous drainage obviated more traditional invasive surgery.