A patient with a large abdominal abscess undergoes ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage. Clinical improvement has occurred, the patient is afebrile, leukocyte count has normalized, and repeat imaging shows near-complete resolution of the cavity. Which additional criterion must be met before the drainage catheter can safely be removed?

• A Conversion of the catheter tract to a surgical drain before withdrawal
• B Minimum dwell time of exactly 14 days regardless of output
• C Contrast injection through the catheter showing no opacification of any structure
• D Drainage output less than 10 mL per day for 24 hours ✓

Explanation

Standard practice removes a drainage catheter when the patient improves clinically, imaging shows collapse of the collection, and output has fallen below about 10 mL per day, indicating the cavity has closed around the catheter. D fixed dwell time is not a requirement, and a mature tract forms naturally within days, allowing simple withdrawal without surgical conversion.

Reference: Grainger and Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.