Percutaneous catheter drainage is one way of treating large liver abscesses that are partially liquefied or have thick pus. Apart from discomfort, severe pain, inflammation or frank cellulitis at the insertion site, and sometimes catheter dislodgement, failure to retrieve a catheter is unusual. This may occur either due to fibrous tissue securing the catheter or when inspissated secretions prevent the catheter tip from straightening. N-acetyl cysteine is a mucolytic and exerts action in many parts of the body such as the mouth, throat and lungs. We report successful removal of a catheter stuck in the liver using this substance.
SatianiBDavidsonED. Hepatic abscesses: improvement in mortality with early diagnosis and treatment. Am J Surg1978; 135: 647–650.
2.
MaherMMKealeySMcNamaraA, et al.Management of visceral interventional radiology catheters: a troubleshooting guide for interventional radiologists. Radiographics2002; 22: 305–322.
3.
TamuraAAraiYSoneM, et al.Management of Entrapped Malecot Catheters. Interventional Radiology2018; 3: 93–95.
4.
Van WaesPFFeldbergMAMaliWP, et al.Management of loculated abscesses that are difficult to drain: a new approach. Radiology1983; 147: 57–63.
5.
SheffnerAL. The reduction in vitro in viscosity of mucoprotein solutions by a new mucolytic agent, N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Ann N Y Acad Sci1963; 106: 298–310.
