title: Complications of percutaneous dart therapy in management of pneumothorax.
abstract: Treatment of patients who have pneumothorax is increasingly being undertaken with a small-diameter dart catheter. Although the catheter usually is effective, complications can arise with its use. We describe a patient in whom empyema developed during treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with the use of such a catheter. Limitations and guidelines for its use are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Streitz
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Karlson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004653:Empyema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010994:Pleura; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography