Use of N-acetyl cysteine to retrieve entrapped Malecot catheter in liver: an old agent for a novel application.

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.