Image-guided catheter drainage of the infected pleural space.
Thoracic empyema occurs at all ages and has reported mortality rates of 10% to 75%. Most authors agree that complete drainage of complicated effusions or organized empyemas and reexpansion of atelectatic lung are important in obtaining a satisfactory clinical outcome. For initial tube drainage, a 26-F to 36-F chest tube traditionally has been inserted at the bedside. The results of this method of empyema evacuation have varied widely, with an overall cure rate reported to be 47%. Image-guided placement of smaller 8-F to 14-F catheters has been offered as an alternative therapy with an overall reported cure rate of 81% in 104 patients.
Ulmer
J L
JL
Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
Choplin
R H
RH
Reed
J C
JC
D002404:Catheterization; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004322:Drainage; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000601:surgery*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D013907:Thoracostomy
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents