J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Dec;33(6):889-892.

Fluoroscopy Guided Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Pneumothorax in Patients with Failed Chest Tube Drainage

• Yoon Y
• Park GY
• Oh JH
• Sung DW

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate efficacy and the safety of percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with pneumothorax that is difficult to treat with closed thoracotomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed effectivenss of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in 10 patients with pneumothorax. The catheter was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Seven patients had spontaneous pneumothorax caused by tuberculosis (n=4), ruptured bullae (n=2), and histiocytosis-X(n=l). Three patients had iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by trauma (n=l) and surgery(n=2). All procedures were performed by modified Seldinger's method by using 8F-20F catheter.
RESULTS
All catheters were inserted successfully. In 9 of 10 patients, the procedure was curative without further therapy. Duration of catheter insertion ranged from 1 day to 26 days. In the remaining 1 patient in whom multiple pneumothorax occurred after operation, catheter insertion was performed twice.
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous catheter drainage under fluoroscopic guidance is effective and safe procedure for treatment of pneumothorax in patients with failed closed thoracotomy.

MeSH Terms

Catheters*
Chest Tubes*
Drainage*
Fluoroscopy*
Humans
Pneumothorax*
Retrospective Studies
Thoracotomy
Thorax*
Tuberculosis