Abstract
Twelve renal abcesses were treated with percutaneous aspiration (6 patients), percutaneous drainage (3 patients) or antibiotics alone (3 patients). The diagnosis was established based on computed tomography-guided aspiration in 9 cases and on radiographic findings and follow-up in the remaining 3. A bacterium was isolated in 2 out of 9 blood cultures, 2 out of 11 urine cultures and in all cultures of pus obtained by percutaneous aspiration. All patients had a good outcome. Our findings confirm the efficacy of percutaneous aspiration in the treatment of renal abscesses. Percutaneous drainage should only be considered when the abscess is very large or aspiration has failed.