Computed tomography-fluoroscopy guided drainage of pericardial effusions: experience in 11 cases.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate feasibility and safety of CT-fluoroscopy in the drainage of pericardial effusion in cases not accessible by sonography.


METHODS
Eleven drainages were performed in Seldinger-technique under CT-fluoroscopy on eight patients suffering from pericardial effusion. The inclusion criterion was a sonographically proved pericardial effusion not drainable under sonographic surveillance. In seven procedures the catheter was positioned using a medial, in four procedures a lateral approach from the apex was chosen.


RESULTS
All catheters could be placed successfully (11/11) in the pericardial effusion and allowed for draining of the effusion in 10 of 11 cases. One epicardial laceration necessitated a surgical approach. The elapsed total procedure time for the drainage was on average 18:23 +/- 8:58 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual surveillance by CT-fluoroscopy is a feasible method in the drainage of pericardial effusions even in cases not accessible by ultrasound.
Bruning
Roland
R
Institute for Clinical Radiology, University Hospital of Munich Marchioninistr, Munich-Grosshadern, Germany. bruening@ikra.med.uni-muenchen.de
Muehlstaedt
Michael
M
Becker
Christoph
C
Knez
Andreas
A
Haberl
Ralph
R
Reiser
Maximilian
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011677:Punctures; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography