Perivesicular Abscess Drainage with Lumen-Apposing Self-Expanding Metal Stents

Abstract

Abdominal and pelvic abscesses can occur due to a number of reasons, the most common being surgery. They are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.  The treatment approach for these types of collections is often the initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics, accompanied by drainage. Multiple diagnostic and therapeutic modalities have been described, including; percutaneous, transvaginal, endoscopic, and surgicaldrainage. Due to the complexity of pelvic anatomy, minimally invasive approaches such as percutaneous drainage are usually difficult. Pelvic abscesses have been historically drained through surgery.  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions have emerged as an alternative for the management of difficult abdominal and pelvic abscesses. Endoscopic interventions have classically included diagnostic and therapeutic aspiration, utilizing drainage catheters with or without placement of plastic stents. More recently, the use of lumen apposing self-expanding metal stents has become a treatment option for deep pelvic abscesses.  Lumen opposing metal stents (LAMS) have a saddle-shaped design with two large-diameter flanges on both ends of the stent to anchor the stent edges within the respective lumens as well asa central waist that allows for communication between the two lumens. LAMS were originally designed for transmural pancreatic fluid collection drainage; however,they have been successfully implemented for numerous other off-label uses, including the drainage of pelvic and abdominal abscesses. We present the case of a 34-year-old womanwho presented with a septated abscess located between the urinary bladder and the rectum, which was successfully and definitively drained with LAMS.