Long term US and CT guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

Full text: The aim of this report is to present the safety and efficacy of long term percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts performed under US and CT control. Twenty-five patients (19 male and 6 female) with persistent pancreatic pseudocysts shown with US examination and contrast enhanced CT were treated with long term percutaneous drainage for a period of 7 years. For imaging control were used: Ultrasonic equipment 'Siemens-Adara' supplied with 3.5 and 7 MHz linear and convex transducers, CT machine GE Sytec 3000i. Puncture needles 22-23 G, catheters 7-8 F, pig-tail and aspiration system were used for maximal therapeutic effect. All 25 patients were treated by percutaneous drainage lasting from 2 to 4 weeks and in two cases for 2 months. Precise penetration in the collection and insertion of the catheter was obtained using US and in small and deep localized cavity CT control. In 16 (64%) of all 25 cases with percutaneous drainages complete success was achieved.In four (16%) cases - pseudocysts reduction to half of its initial size. Notwithstanding the drainage in 5 (20%) patients the fluid restored and surgical treatment was needed. Our experience and literature reports support the opinion that percutaneous drainage performed under US and CT imaging control is a safe and effective technique for treating persistent pancreatic pseudocysts