J Korean Radiol Soc.  1988 Aug;24(4):501-506. 10.3348/jkrs.1988.24.4.501.

Percutaneous catheter drainage of empyema and loculated pleural effusion

• Im JG
• Park KJ
• Park JH

• KMID: 2359233
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1988.24.4.501

Abstract

Closed thoracotomy by using a chest tube in cases of thoracic empyema is known to be an effective and popularway of treatment. However, it happens commonly that chest tube drainage is not appropriate because of eithermalpositioning of the tube or undesirable patient's general condition such as bleeding tendency of debilitation. We performed fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous catheter drainage(PCD) in 14 cases of empyema and loculated pleuraleffusion and in 2 cases of lung abscess. In most of the patients, PCDs were performed because chest tube drainagewas considered to be inappropriate of after failed chest tube drainage. In all patients, catheters weresuccessfully placed into the fluid collections, which were drained effectively. Ten of the 11 febrile patientshowed improvement of feverishness within 24 hours after PCD. 10 patients were cured without further treatment. Complications were few and minimal. We believe that the safety, effectiveness and good patients tolerance of PCDmakes it an excellent alternative method of treatment in cases of empyema and loculated pleural effusions.

MeSH Terms

Catheters*
Chest Tubes
Drainage*
Empyema*
Empyema, Pleural
Hemorrhage
Humans
Lung Abscess
Methods
Pleural Effusion*
Thoracotomy