SPONDYLODISKITIC ABSCESSES - CT-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER DRAINAGE

PURPOSE: To determine whether computed tomographically (CT) guided per cutaneous catheter drainage of spondylodiskitic abscesses is an approp riate and effective alternative to surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT- guided percutaneous catheter drainage was performed in 21 patients (16 men, five women; age range 24-81 years) with 33 spondylodiskitic absc esses. Nine intradiskal, 12 paravertebral, and 12 psoas abscesses were drained with 5.6-14.0-F catheters. In 29 cases, the catheter was inse rted by using the Seldinger technique; in four cases, a trocar techniq ue was used. All patients underwent follow-up CT or magnetic resonance imaging examinations for 6 months. RESULTS: Successful placement of t he drainage catheter was achieved in each patient without procedural c omplications. The duration of drainage was 4-56 days (average duration , 26.8 days). Three of 33 catheters were changed because of insufficie nt drainage; one of the 33 catheters had to be reinserted because of d islocation. Two patients underwent surgery for stabilization of the sp ine with the drainage catheter in place. In 16 of the 21 patients, spe cific organisms were isolated; thus, definitive medical therapy was po ssible. Complete evacuation of all abscesses was achieved initially, w ith no evidence of recurrence during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: CT-gui ded percutaneous catheter drainage is an efficient and safe procedure in the management of spondylodiskitic abscesses.