Feasibility of C-arm-supported CT fluoroscopy in percutaneous abscess drainage procedures

Purpose: Evaluation of C-arm-supported CT fluoroscopy to facilitate percuta neous abscess drainage procedures. Methods: Prospectively, 40 percutaneous drainage procedures were performed either with C-arm-supported CT fluoroscopy or with CT fluoroscopy alone. Hy brid imaging was performed on the CT couch after complementing a CT fluoros copy scanner with a C-arm fluoroscopy unit. Procedure times, drainage revis ions during follow-up, and postinterventional drainage periods were analyze d. Results: When compared with exclusive CT fluoroscopic guidance, a median pr ocedure time of 9 +/- 3.7 min versus 14.8 +/- 7.3 min was required for C-ar m-supported CT fluoroscopy (p < 0.005, t-test). During follow-up, eight dra inage catheters had to be revised within the exclusive CT fluoroscopy group , while only two revisions were necessary within the C-arm-supported CT flu oroscopy group. With C-arm-supported CT fluoroscopy, postinterventional dra inage periods were reduced (median 13 vs 19 days: p < 0.001. t-test). Conclusion: Compared with exclusive cross-sectional image guidance. C-arm-s upported CT fluoroscopy seems to improve placement of abscess drainage cath eters to possibly reduce procedure times, drainage catheter revisions, and postinterventional drainage periods.