Contribution of computed tomography guided percutaneous drainage of tuberculous cold abscesses adjunctive to pharmaceutical anti-tubercular treatment

Abstract Purpose To determine the efficiency and safety of the percutaneous aspiration and drainage of rare touberculous cold abscesses under CT guidance. Materials and methods We retrospectively studied 63 cases of 44 patients, treated in our hospital during the last two years. They suffered from tuberculous infection complicated with tuberculous cold abscesses variously located. All these patients underwent percutaneous aspiration and drainage under CT imaging, following the trocar puncture technique. The catheter remained in place for about a week. A follow up CT scan was performed in all cases before the catheter removal. Some of the patients were under anti tuberculosis medication. Results All the patients had a successful recovery from the abscesses. There were no major or minor complications observed. No recurrence occurred until today. Conclusion CT guided percutaneous aspiration and drainage of tuberculous cold abscesses is a safe, minimal invasive and effective method of treatment. Drainage and specific antituberculosis therapy leads to a satisfactory conclusion.