Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage for an abscess cavity

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions, including EUS-guided biliary drainage and EUS-guided cystic drainage, are now well developed and in widespread use. Intraperitoneal abscess requires drainage because mortality associated with an undrained abscess is high. Percutaneous or surgical drainage has traditionally been performed, but there have been numerous reports of EUS-guided drainage for intraperitoneal abscesses in recent years. EUS-guided abscess drainage has the advantage of being less invasive and enabling direct access to the cavity via the trans-luminal route as well as clear visualization of interposed vessels using color Doppler ultrasonography. It is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages when selecting a drainage method. This article reviews the current status of EUS-guided abscess drainage at three sites: the liver, pelvis, and mediastinum.