Malignant pleural effusions: treatment with small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis.
Thirty-two patients with a known primary malignancy and a symptomatic malignant pleural effusion underwent small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis. Twenty-three patients (72%) had a complete response; four (12%), a partial response; and five (16%), no response. Symptoms in all those who responded were clinically improved. Complications included fever in 13 patients (41%) and moderate shortness of breath, chest pain, or both in six (19%). Small-bore-catheter thoracostomy and talc pleurodesis was successful in treating malignant pleural effusions.
Marom
E M
EM
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Patz
E F
EF
Erasmus
J J
JJ
McAdams
H P
HP
Goodman
P C
PC
Herndon
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D018700:Pleurodesis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013627:Talc / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013907:Thoracostomy
D013627:Talc