title: Outcome of ultrasound-guided small-bore catheter drainage in exudative pleural effusions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of exudative pleural effusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was a retrospective analysis of 412 pleural effusions from 373 patients that underwent ultrasound-guided small-bore catheter drainage in exudative pleural effusions between 2004 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two most common causes for drainage were parapneumonic effusion or empyema (52.2%) and malignant effusion (30.3%), while the remains were trauma, iatrogenic, and others. Overall clinical success rate was 76.5%. The success rate was lower among malignant pleural effusion (p = 0.003). Causes of effusion were the only independent predictors related to success. Only five (1.2%) patients developed complication during the procedure. Seventy-five of 412 effusions (15.8%) developed complication during the period of drainage; the majority were drain blockage (9%) and accidental dislodgment (4.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound-guided small-bore catheter drainage was a safe and efficient procedure for exudative pleural effusions.
authors: Nantaka
authors: N
authors: Kiranantawat
authors: Jitpreedee
authors: J
authors: Sungsiri
authors: Sarayut L
authors: SL
authors: Geater
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional