Alcoholization of pyogenichepatic abscess with absolute alcohol in Bama minipigs

Abstract

Abstract. Pyogenic hepatic abscess (PHA) is a rare, but potentially serious disease. At present, ultrasound-guided or computed tomography-guided percutaneous needle aspiration or catheter drainage is appropriate as a first-line treatment. However, it is difficult to aspirate or drain pus and to select the appropriate antibiotic therapy if the abscess consists of thick pus and polymicrobial confections, or its pathogenic bacterium is multidrug resistant and cryptogenic. Case studies of alcoholization provide a novel method to manage PHA. However, the efficacy and safety of this treatment should be further evaluated. In the present study, the therapeutic efficacy and complications of alcoholization for PHAs in Bama minipigs were investigated. PHAs were prospectively treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous instillation of absolute alcohol in the abscess cavity. The criteria for considering a successful intervention were met in all minipigs subsequent to alcoholization twice within 14 days. The procedures were well tolerated in all animals, and there were no alcoholic adverse effects or procedure-associated complications. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided percutaneous alcoholization is a safe and effective procedure to manage PHA. The problems of thick pus aspiration and selection of an appropriate antibiotic observed in other treatments were resolved effectively using alcoholization. This technique may reduce the treatment period and possibly become a novel strategy for the management of PHA.