[Thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects].
This article reports on four tumour patients with extensive, but cytologically innocuous pericardial effusion. In three cases, a tumour-cell-negative pleural effusion, on the left, was also present. Thoracoscopy showed that the pleura were unremarkable, whereupon, with the aid of the biopsy forceps--in one case the Nd:YAG laser--the pericardium was opened. The procedure provided diagnostically high-yielding material; in addition, pericardial tamponade was "permanently" eliminated (period of observation up to 4 years). This shows that, in addition to its diagnostic value, thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration also can be therapeutic. It represents an alternative to the surgical approach.
Vogel
B
B
Städtisches Krankenhaus Heidehaus Hannover.
Mall
W
W
D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*
Thorakoskopische Perikardfensterung--diagnostische und therapeutische Aspekte.