There was no significant difference in relation to the resolution of fever , abscess size , and hospital stay .
The beneficial effects of PA were seen with medium-to-large ( > 5 cm ) ALA and not with small ( < 5 cm ) ALA .
Percutaneous aspiration as compared with metronidazole alone results in the early resolution of pain and tenderness in patients with medium-to-large ALA .
Percutaneous catheter drainage is better for larger ALA .
The role of metronidazole alone , percutaneous aspiration ( PA ) , and percutaneous catheter drainage ( PCD ) in the treatment of uncomplicated amebic liver abscess ( ALA ) is still unclear .
This systematic review and meta- analysis evaluated the available evidence s with regard to treatment modalities in such patients .
Treatment of liver abscess: prospective randomized comparison of catheter drainage and needle aspiration
Background The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical presentation , and to investigate the effectiveness of continuous catheter drainage in comparison to needle aspiration in the treatment of liver abscesses . Methods This is a prospect i ve r and omized comparative study of 60 patients , presented in outpatient and emergency department at the hospital , r and omized equally into two groups , percutaneous needle aspiration and pigtail catheter drainage .  The effectiveness of either treatment was measured in terms of duration of hospital stay , days to achieve clinical improvement , 50 % reduction in abscess cavity size and total/near total resolution of abscess cavity . Independent t-test was used to analyze these parameters . Results The success rate was significantly better in catheter drainage group ( P=0.006 ) . The patients in pigtail catheter drainage group showed earlier clinical improvement ( P=0.039 ) and 50 % decrease in abscess cavity volume ( P=0.000 ) as compared to those who underwent percutaneous needle aspiration . Conclusion Percutaneous catheter drainage is a better modality as compared to percutaneous needle aspiration especially in larger abscesses which are partially liquefied or with thick pus
There was no significant difference in relation to the resolution of fever , abscess size , and hospital stay .
The beneficial effects of PA were seen with medium-to-large ( > 5 cm ) ALA and not with small ( < 5 cm ) ALA .
Percutaneous aspiration as compared with metronidazole alone results in the early resolution of pain and tenderness in patients with medium-to-large ALA .
Percutaneous catheter drainage is better for larger ALA .
The role of metronidazole alone , percutaneous aspiration ( PA ) , and percutaneous catheter drainage ( PCD ) in the treatment of uncomplicated amebic liver abscess ( ALA ) is still unclear .
This systematic review and meta- analysis evaluated the available evidence s with regard to treatment modalities in such patients .