Chest Tube Drainage Under Radiological Guidance for Pleural Effusion and Pneumothorax in a Tertiary Care University Teaching Hospital: Review of 51 Cases. Issue 1 (3rd February 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cantin, Luce; Chartrand-Lefebvre, Carl; Lepanto, Luigi; Gianfelice, David; Rabbat, Antoine; Aubin, Benoît; Perreault, Pierre; Déry, Renée; Lafortune, Michel
• Is Part Of: Canadian respiratory journal. Volume 12:Issue 1(2005)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2005-02-03
• Subjects: Chest -- Computed tomography -- Interventional radiology -- Pleura; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Canada -- Periodicals; Respiration; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Canada; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1155/2005/498709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1198-2241

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Chest tube drainage under radiological guidance has been used with increasing frequency as a treatment option for pleural effusions and pneumothoraxes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and usefulness of pleural drainage under radiological guidance for pleural effusion and pneumothorax in a tertiary care university teaching hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study of cases of chest tube placement under radiological guidance over a 12-month period in a university hospital. RESULTS: Fifty-one percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage cases were reviewed (30 patients). Forty-six (90%) chest tubes were inserted as a first-line treatment. The overall success rate of radiological drainage was 88%. Specific success rates were 92%, 85% and 91% for loculated pleural effusion, pneumothorax and empyema, respectively. The complications were few and minor. CONCLUSIONS: Pigtail catheter insertion under radiological guidance is a useful procedure for the treatment of sterile pleural effusion, empyema and pneumothorax. This technique can be used as a first-line procedure in the majority of cases.