CT- and ultrasound-guided catheter drainage of empyemas after chest-tube failure.

Abstract

CT- and ultrasound-guided catheters were used to locate and drain empyemas in 17 patients, most of whom had failed to improve with conventional chest-tube drainage due to a poorly positioned tube. Fifteen patients (88.2%) were treated successfully, averting surgery or further drainage, and bacteremia in 1 patient was the only complication. Previously unrecognized communications with the bronchi, esophagus, and subphrenic space were demonstrated, and intracavitary tumor biopsy and instillation of a sclerosing agent were performed in several patients. Compared to the tubes used to drain abdominal abscesses, empyema catheters need less irrigation; dionosil is often the preferred contrast agent, the catheter can be withdrawn in one step, and a residual fibrotic or tumor cavity may persist after pus has been evacuated.

• Authors: E vanSonnenberg, S K Nakamoto, P R Mueller, G Casola, C C Neff, P J Friedman, J T Ferrucci Jr, J F Simeone
• Journal: Radiology (Radiology) Vol. 151 Issue 2 Pg. 349-53 (May 1984) ISSN: 0033-8419 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6709904 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Catheterization (methods)
• Drainage (methods)
• Empyema (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Intubation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Punctures (methods)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Ultrasonography