Percutaneous Drainage : An Effective and Less Agressive Approach for Complicated Diverticular Abscess

Retroperitoneal abscess is a serious complication of diverticular disease. Its management involves several options, ranging from conservative management to surgery. Elective colectomy is most often thought to be mandatory after a percutaneous drainage given the high rate of recidive. However, in patients with high risk for surgery, percutaneous drainage is often the main therapeutic alternative. We report a case of a 80-year-old woman, who was diagnosed to have a retroperitoneal abscess complicating a sigmoid diverticulitis. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage allowed to drain 1500cc of pus and gas. The cytobacteriological examination was positive for: Streptococcus spp and Alkalescens dispar. The therapeutic outcomes were uneventful and despite we did not realize a colectomy because the patient was at high risk for surgery, there was no recidive after a 2-year-follow-up period. Percutaneous drainage can be a therapeutic alternative in patients with high risk for surgery in diverticular abscess of big size.