title: Radiologically placed tunneled peritoneal catheter in palliation of malignant ascites.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the safety and effectiveness of radiologically placed tunneled peritoneal catheter in palliation of malignant ascites. Between July 2005 and June 2009, 41 tunneled peritoneal catheters were placed under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance in 40 patients (mean age, 55 years; 22 women) who had symptomatic malignant ascites. No procedure related mortality was observed. Major complication occurred in one patient (2.5%) in the form of serious bacterial peritonitis that necessitated catheter removal. Minor complications such as minor bacterial peritonitis, catheter dislodgement, tunnel infection, and catheter blockage occurred in 11 patients (27.5%). The mean duration of survival after catheter placement was 11.8 weeks. All patients expired of their primary malignancies in the follow-up. Radiologically placed tunneled peritoneal catheter is safe and effective in palliation of symptomatic malignant ascites.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Devrim
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Akinci
authors.forename: Bekir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erol
authors.forename: Türkmen T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Ciftci
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome