Outcomes after CT guided drainage of diverticular abscesses and predictive factors for fistulous communication to the colon

Abstract Background The purpose of the study is to analyze patient outcomes following CT guided drainage of colonic diverticular abscesses and identify the factors associated with development of fistulous communication to the drain. Methods All patients undergoing CT guided abscess drainage, from 2009 to 2017, were included in this single institutional study. Clinical and demographic variables associated with development of colonic fistula were investigated. Results One–hundred-and-five patients (55% female), mean abscess size and BMI of 6.3 cm and 30.28 kg/m2, respectively, underwent CT guided abscess drainage. Patients with fistula had longer operative times (p = 0.03). On multivariable analysis, females (p = 0.02) and higher BMI (p = 0.01) were protective against, while increasing size (p = 0.01) was predictive of developing fistulous communication to the drain. Conclusion More than half of patients developed colonic fistula after CT guided drainage. Male sex, lower BMI and increasing abscess size were predictive of developing colonic fistula.