Liver abscesses, both amoebic and pyogenic, continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. Although the primary mode of treatment of amoebic liver abscesses is medical,1,2 15% of amoebic abscesses may be refractory to medical therapy. Also, secondary bacterial infection may complicate up to 20% of amoebic liver abscesses.3 and hence drainage may be required in many patients with amoebic liver abscesses. Percutaneous drainage is now considered the treatment of choice for most intra-abdominal abscesses and fluid collections.4
The percutaneous catheter drainage technique is widely practiced by surgeons and radiologists alike. The present study evaluates ultrasonography (USG) guided percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage, assesses its response and evaluates the morbidity, mortality and complication rates of the procedure.