Abscess Drainage/Biopsy

Image-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominal collections and image-guided percutaneous biopsy of abdominal masses are two of the most common procedures performed by interventional radiologists. These procedures have almost entirely replaced surgical methods due to their minimally invasive nature and high rate of success. Percutaneous drainage is a very effective treatment for various types of collections, and percutaneous biopsies are a vital step in the diagnosis of several malignant and benign diseases. Effectiveness in performing either procedure requires technical skills, image interpretation skills, and strong clinical skills. The following sections will provide an overview of these two ubiquitous procedures.