USE OF A COLAPINTO NEEDLE IN US-GUIDED TRANSVAGINAL DRAINAGE OF PELVIC ABSCESSES

The ultrasound-guided transvaginal approach offers a direct, nonsurgical means for drainage of deep pelvic abscesses. It is often difficult, however, to place drainage catheters through the vaginal wall by using routine Seldinger technique. The authors describe four recent drainage procedures facilitated through use of a Colapinto needle as a dilator. In two cases, the Colapinto needle also served as a stiffening cannula for the passage of a fascial dilator.