Cone-beam computed tomography in drainage of abscesses, percutaneous fluid collection

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thuc Vy - Doctor of Diagnostic Imaging - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
When bacteria invade, the immune system fights the infection and causes inflammation at the site of infection, a cavity is created, filling with pus to form an abscess. Abscess sites such as abdominal cavity or fluid in the thorax should be drained from the body under the guidance of digital angiography.

1. Why does the patient need to drain the abscess?

Abscess drainage is a technique used to remove an infection due to the presence of pus surrounded by an area of ​​inflamed tissue. Abscess must be drained pus in case the patient only used antibiotics alone but did not heal the abscess. If left untreated, the abscess can progress and involve deeper tissue leading to life-threatening sepsis.
Most abscesses occur on the skin, often in hairy areas such as the groin. Usually these superficial abscesses can be drained by surgery or other means by the medical staff in conjunction with the use of local anesthesia.
Wounds are bandaged and, prescribed antibiotics. If the abscess cannot be drained effectively or if the patient is in too much pain for local anesthesia to be ineffective or for other reasons, the patient may be drained in the operating room with local or general anesthesia. .

Abscesses can also form in muscles, organs, or body cavities. These abscesses are discovered when the patient performs imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound.
Doctors will drain the abscess by inserting a needle through the skin into the abscess to drain under the guidance of CBCT (Cone-Beam Computerized Tomography), which is a cone-beam computed tomography technique. Continuous rotation combined with digital background erasing angiography system to help the doctor put the drainage needle in the right position.

2. Procedure to proceed

2.1 Before the procedure After being consulted by the doctor about the procedure and answering questions, the patient needs to follow instructions such as fasting and drinking at least 6 hours before the procedure, inform Tell your doctor if you are taking medication or are allergic to any substance or medication.

2.2 During the implementation Depending on the location of the abscess, the doctor will disinfect the exposed and disinfect the most convenient location to drain the abscess. The patient is then anesthetized or anesthetized and the skin incision is made.
Through the incision site, the doctor will always insert the needle into the patient's body and look at the fluorescent screen of the CBCT scanner. The doctor started taking CBCT to find the most favorable and shortest direction and avoid damage to healthy tissues.
After having a direction, the doctor continues to put the needle in the direction of the abscess and when the needle touches the abscess, the doctor will take CBCT again to make sure before inserting the needle to withdraw the fluid in the cavity. abscess. After that, the patient will be placed a drainage tube.
2.3 After performing the abscess, the fluid in the abscess will be tested to help the doctor determine exactly what type of bacteria is causing the abscess and thereby determine the appropriate antibiotic.
Vinmec International General Hospital has applied modern examination techniques to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment for all customers. Accordingly, the doctors who carry out the procedures are all well-trained doctors with high expertise, thus giving accurate results, making a significant contribution to the identification of the disease and the stage of the disease. offer the optimal treatment regimen for customers.
Master. Doctor Nguyen Thuc Vy has 09 years of experience in Diagnostic Imaging. Dr. Vy has many years of experience working in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, trained and attended many courses on specialized imaging at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Hue Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cho Ray Hospital. Currently working at the Diagnostic Imaging Department of Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact the nationwide Vinmec Health System Hotline, or register online HERE.