[Intrapleural fibrinolytic treatment and infectious pleuresies: three pediatric cases].
Intrapleural instillation of fibrinolytic agents has been proposed for the treatment of loculated pleural effusions, or whenever the biochemical characteristics of the pleural fluid (pH, glucose level, LDH) indicate the risk of a complicated outcome due to a pleural effusion with complications and the possible development of empyema. At present, there is no consensus regarding the use of intrapleural fibrinolytic agents in children.


METHODS
In this study, the successful treatment by fibrinolytic agents and standard drainage are successfully performed in three children with a pleural effusion due to an infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical utility, in terms of the reduction of the duration of hospitalization and additional surgical treatment, should be assessed in prospective studies.
Service de soins intensifs pédiatriques, hôpital Pellegrin-Enfants, 33076 Bordeaux, France.
C
C
Trouilloud
L
L
Pedespan
J L
JL
Demarquez
T
T
Lamireau
M
M
Fayon
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D013300:Streptokinase