title: A new method of an axial puncture approach for draining loculated pleural effusions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors devised a new method of an axial puncture approach through the pulmonary apex (PA) for percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) of loculated fluid collections extending to the PA. The purpose of this report is to introduce the new procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percutaneous catheter drainage by the axial puncture approach was performed in two patients with limited supine position and loculated pleural fluid collection in the posteromedial part of thoracic cavity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedures succeeded in two patients without difficulties while keeping them in a supine position, even if the loculated fluids exist in the posterior side of thoracic cavity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous catheter drainage by the axial puncture approach is particularly effective in patients with limited supine positions and loculated pleural fluid collection in the posteromedial part of thoracic cavity.
authors: Department of Radiology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. khirari@marianna-u.ac.jp
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Takizawa
authors: Yasuo
authors: Y
authors: Nakajima
authors: Yukihisa
authors: Y
authors: Ogawa
authors: Shingo
authors: S
authors: Hmaguchi
authors: Misako
authors: M
authors: Yoshimatsu
authors: Atsuko
authors: A
authors: Fujikawa
authors: Yuya
authors: Y
authors: Koike
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011677:Punctures; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D016683:Supine Position; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed