Use of an Amplatz dilator to facilitate transrectal abscess drainage in children.

Image-guided transrectal drainage is an effective treatment option for many deep pelvic abscesses in children. Currently, a variety of imaging and catheter techniques are used to access and drain these abscesses. The present report describes an approach for introducing the transrectal catheter by using transabdominal ultrasound guidance to direct transrectal advancement of an Amplatz dilator with coaxial placement of the metal cannula and inner trocar from a pigtail catheter set, followed by placement of the pigtail catheter via Seldinger technique. This approach eliminates some of the limitations of other transrectal techniques. The present report describes a single-institutional experience with this technique in 13 patients.