[Evaluation of the efficacy of image-guided drainage in the treatment of abdominal fluid collections].

: In this paper the Authors report their experience in the diagnosis and management of abdominal fluid collections either primary or secondary to surgery. Sixty-eight patients with abdominal fluid collections were considered: in 28 cases an imaging guided percutaneous drainage was performed, while in 40 cases patients were treated with medical or surgical therapy. The Authors describe the different techniques, the approaches and the types of catheter used on the basis of the localization of the collections. The results show the efficacy of drainage procedures in 89% of the patients treated, without any major complication. Some considerations comparing patients treated with percutaneous drainage and patients who underwent different therapy as well as a review of the international literature are also reported. In conclusion the Authors affirm that percutaneous imaging guided drainage is the treatment of choice for abdominal fluid collections anatomically accessible, for the high effectiveness, good tolerability, low cost and minimal incidence of major complications.