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Forty-three patients with thoracic empyema were treated by means of image-guided catheter drainage. In 40 patients, image-guided catheter drainage was the primary treatment method; in three it was used after conventional, surgical chest tube placement failed. Drainage was performed with ultrasound guidance in 30 patients (69.8%), computed tomography in eight (18.6%), and fluoroscopy in five (11.6%). A combination of guidance modalities was used in six patients. Image-guided catheter drainage alone was successful in 31 of 43 patients (72.1%). In three patients (7%), empyemas were initially drained, but a thoracotomy was ultimately required because of a persistent pleural peel. In eight patients (18.6%), the procedure failed, predominantly due to tube clogging, persistent pneumothorax, or progressive development of a pleural peel. In one patient, drainage was successful but he died 10 days later of complications of renal failure. No major complications were encountered. Treatment of these patients requires a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis of pleural space infection, principles of empyema drainage, techniques of abscess drainage under image guidance, and the use of a pleural drainage system.

A combination of computed tomography, ultrasonography, and fluoroscopy was utilized to guide percutaneous catheter drainage of 58 abscesses and fluid collections in 51 patients. Cavities were evacuated in 53 cases, with surgery avoided in 44 of these. There were two failures and six recurrences. The mean duration of catheter drainage was seven days. Five complications occurred, including a small bowel fistula and a lacerated mesenteric vessel. Based on this experience, guidelines for drainage are presented, as well as principles for the critical step of access route planning. Double-lumen sump drainage catheters and the irrigation procedure have simplified and improved drainage. Causes and solutions for unsatisfactory results are defined.

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Sixteen patientswith knewn rectal cancer were evaluated and staged with CT and MR, and at surgery.