Percutaneous management of renal abscess

The conventional management of renal abscess is either nephrectomy or open surgical drainage and appropriate systemic antibiotic therapy. With improvement of renal imaging and increased popularity of the percutaneous approach to the kidney, renal abscesses are now successfully managed by a combination of antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage. Six patients with intrarenal and perinephric abscesses at the Tri-Service General Hospital during the past 3 years are presented. Five of these underwent successful nonoperative management by percutaneous nephrostomy drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy. No recurrences or complications occurred. Combined with appropriate antibiotic coverage, percutaneous drainage is the treatment of choice for renal abscesses.