Effectiveness and safety of CT-guided drainage of abdominal abscesses with small and extra-small-bore drains: a single-centre observational study.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous drainage is an established method for the treatment of abdominal abscesses. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drainage of abdominal abscesses with small-bore (6F and 9F) drains. Material and methods: The analysis of a prospectively maintained database included 135 consecutive patients from a single centre with abdominal or pelvic abscesses, who underwent CT-guided drainage. Procedures were performed using a one-step trocar technique with 6F (40 procedures) or 9F (95 procedures) catheters. Technical success was defined as insertion of the drain into the abscess cavity and aspiration of the fluid sample. Clinical success was defined as resolution of infection without surgical intervention or upsizing of the drain. Results: The mean size of abscesses was 77.0 ± 28.8 mm (32-220 mm). Thick fluid was aspirated from 129 collections; 6 collections contained thin fluid. Technical success was achieved in 100% of procedures. Clinical success was achieved in 94.8% of patients. Surgical drainage was necessary in 3.7% of patients and upsizing in 1.5% of patients. Complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III were noted in 2.2% of patients without grade IV or V adverse events. The mean radiation dose in terms of Dose Length Product was 617 ± 467 mGy x cm. The mean procedure time was 28.0 ± 11.3 min. Conclusions: CT-guided drainage of abdominal abscesses with small- and very small-bore drains is usually sufficient to obtain clinical success with a low complication rate in the case of thick fluid collections.

Comparison of Sublimation 3D Scanning Sprays in Terms of Their Effect on the Resulting 3D Scan, Thickness, and Sublimation Time.

This study compared eight sublimation scanning sprays in terms of their effect on 3D scanning results, coating thickness, and sublimation time. The work used an automated spraying system to ensure the same deposition conditions for all tested materials. All experiments were performed under the same environmental conditions to exclude the influence of the ambient environment on the coatings. All tested scanning sprays created coatings with thicknesses in the order of tens of micrometers that were detectable by the 3D scanner Atos III Triple Scan. The coatings must be applied carefully when accurate measurements are required. All used materials enabled the capture of the highly reflective surface of the Si-wafer. However, the differences between some sprays were significant. Sublimation time measurements showed that all coatings disappeared from the Si-wafer surface completely. Nevertheless, all coatings left visible traces on the mirror-like surface. They were easily wiped off with a cloth.

Duplicated inferior vena cava with coexisting multiple vascular anomalies and their clinical implications: a case report.

The paper presents the case of a 23-year-old man with multiple venous anomalies. The abnormalities were asymptomatic, and they were detected accidentally on routine abdominal ultrasound examination. The anomalies were found in the inferior vena cava, right testicular vein, left renal vein, and hepatic veins. Familiarity with different developmental variants within the inferior vena cava and other venous vessels plays a crucial role in ultrasound imaging. Vascular anomalies, although rare, should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of focal lesions within the abdominal cavity. Also, variation in vascular anatomy may be a precipitating factor for blood flow disorders, and hence predispose patients to deep vein thrombosis and other pathological conditions. The reported case serves as a valuable addition to the knowledge of the vascular system that radiologists use in their everyday practice when performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations.