CT-guided pericardiocenteses: clinical profile, practice patterns and clinical outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and clinical outcome and technique of CT-guided pericardiocenteses in the treatment of pericardial effusions in adults and children.


METHODS
20 drainages were performed in Seldinger-technique under CT-guidance on 20 patients suffering from pericardial effusions and haematomas. In 85%, the etiology of effusion was postoperative. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (minimum 9 years, maximum 86 years).There were 12 male and eight female patients. The inclusion criterion was an echocardiographically relevant proved pericardial effusion.


RESULTS
All catheters could be placed successfully (20/20) in the pericardial effusion and allowed for draining of the effusion in all cases under CT-guidance. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CT-guided pericardiocentesis was successful for withdrawing pericardial fluid and/or relieving tamponade in 100% of all procedures. No major complication was occurred. A total of one minor complication (5%) occurred that required no specific interventions, except for monitoring and appropriate follow-up. We observed one pneumothorax as a minor complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Pericardial effusions of various causes can be safely, effectively, and quickly managed with CT-guided pericardiocenteses in adults and children. The ventrolateral entry side for the puncture should be preferred to reach the whole effusion and avoid complications, like a pneumothorax.
Eichler
Katrin
K
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany. k.eichler@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Zangos
Stephan
S
Thalhammer
Axel
A
Jacobi
Volkmar
V
Walcher
Felix
F
Marzi
Ingo
I
Moritz
Anton
A
Vogl
Thomas J
TJ
Mack
Martin G
MG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult