Abstract
Fluid collections that are incompletely drained despite adequate catheter position,
size, and number represent a minority of abscesses but a source of great frustration
for patients, surgeons, and interventional radiologists. Drainage of such complex
collections is known to be more effective with the adjunctive use of intracavitary
fibrinolytic agents instilled via the drainage catheter. In this review article, we
discuss the role of fibrinolytics specifically tissue plasminogen activator as explored
by interventional radiologists in enhancing effective drainage of these complex abdominal
and pelvic collections as well as complex pleural collections.
Keywords
abscess - empyema - percutaneous drainage - thrombolytic therapy - interventional
radiology
