Percutaneous internal fistulization of a lung abscess after incomplete external drainage.

Internal drainage was performed with expandable metallic stents in a 79-year-old male with lung abscess secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma. Initial external drainage was prolonged, and internalization of drainage allowed removal of the external drainage catheter. Connection of abscess cavity to obstructed bronchus was created after passing a steerable guidewire percutaneously through the abscess into the bronchus. This new type of internal drainage technique may be applicable to patients with prolonged standard percutaneous external drainage of lung abscesses.