Placement Of Drainage Catheter Research Articles

Loop-tip technique for replacing dislodged catheters

Accidental catheter dislodgement is a common occurrence following placement of drainage and vascular catheters. Several methods have been developed to replace dislodged catheters using existing catheter tracts. We describe a new technique using an adjustable self-centering “Loop-Tip” catheter to facilitate salvage of catheter tracts. The technique may be suitable for re-canalization of a wide variety of catheter tracts and sinus tracts.

Lymphatic embolization for early post-operative lymphatic leakage after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Although radical cystectomy (RC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is the standard treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer, it may cause lymphatic leakage. Recent studies describe lymphatic embolization (LE) as an option to manage post-operative lymphatic leakage. Hence, this study evaluated the outcome of LE in patients receiving RC and analyzed factors associated with outcomes. This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LE after RC for bladder cancer between August 2017 and June 2023. The data was assessed for analysis at January 2024. The patients were divided into a clinical success group and a clinical failure group. Clinical failure was defined as the following: 1) those who required drainage catheter placement >7 days after LE, 2) those who needed re-intervention before catheter removal, and 3) those who experienced adverse events associated with LE. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with outcomes of LE. We analyzed 45 patients who underwent LE after RC. Twenty-eight (62.2%) patients were identified as clinically successful. Four patients required re-embolization, but none required more than two sessions of intervention. Three patients experienced lymphatic complications after LE. In multivariable analysis, maximal daily drainage volume of >1,000 mL/day (odds ratio [OR] = 4.729, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.018-21.974, p = 0.047) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 4.571, 95% CI: 1.128-18.510, p = 0.033) were factors associated with LE outcome. Our results suggest LE as a potentially effective procedure for controlling post-operative lymphatic leaks after RC, with few minor side effects. Patients exceeding a daily drainage of 1,000mL/day or with a medical history of DM have a higher risk for re-intervention and clinical failure after LE.

Intra-pleural and intra-peritoneal tocilizumab therapy for managing malignant pleural effusions and ascites: The Regional Immuno-Oncology Trial (RIOT)−2 study protocol

BackgroundMalignant pleural effusions (MPE) and malignant ascites (MA) are serious complications of advanced cancer, marked by debilitating symptoms and limited treatment options. Based on a wealth of previous literature implicating the cytokine IL-6 as a central mediator in the pathogenesis of MPE and MA, the Regional Immuno-Oncology Trial 2 (RIOT-2) clinical protocol was developed to explore intra-cavitary delivery of tocilizumab, an IL-6 receptor antagonist, as treatment for these conditions. MethodsThis phase I clinical trial (NCT 06016179) is being conducted to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of intra-cavitary tocilizumab administration to patients with MPE and MA. Eligible patients are those with pleural effusion or peritoneal ascites due to metastatic cancer who are scheduled to undergo standard-of-care catheter placement for pleural or peritoneal drainage. Following catheter placement, patients will receive a starting dose of tocilizumab 0.5 µg/mL via intra-pleural or intra-peritoneal implantable catheters. Weekly escalating doses of tocilizumab will be given over four weeks. Primary endpoints are frequency and type of adverse events, while secondary endpoints include pharmacokinetic and immunological parameters. This single-center study will proceed until 12 patients have been treated. DiscussionInhibition of the IL-6 signaling pathway with tocilizumab is hypothesized to be a rational mitigating treatment strategy for the maladaptive intra-cavitary immune environment in patients with MPE and MA. The RIOT-2 study aims to assess the safety of intra-cavitary tocilizumab therapy, administered via indwelling catheters. Pharmacologic and translational immunologic findings generated by this study could pave the way for future research into clinical applications of intra-cavitary immunotherapy. Trial registrationThe trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT06016179 (registered on August 29th, 2023).

A Tunneled Catheter Placement Program for Community Hospices

ContextThe symptoms associated with the excessive fluid accumulation of ascites or pleural effusions can be intractable to medical management and can have a significant negative impact on quality of life of hospice patients. Hospice of the Valley, a community-based, nonprofit hospice agency has historically referred patients to outpatient providers for paracentesis, thoracentesis, and placement of tunneled drainage catheters. ObjectivesTo describe an in-house pilot program of tunneled catheter placement to provide immediate and longer-term symptom relief for selected hospice patients. MethodsThe logistics and cost of the pilot program are described. Key data elements, including select demographics, patient eligibility screening, and incidence of procedure-related or late complications are reported. ResultsA total of 135 drainage procedures completed on 127 unique hospice patients over 27 months (2020–2023) were reviewed. The rate of procedure-related complications (<4%) and late complications (<3%) are low. The average cost per procedure ($1030) compares favorably with outpatient providers’ fees. The program was well-accepted by the interdisciplinary hospice team, patients, and families. ConclusionsAn in-house program of tunneled catheter placement is a feasible option for hospice providers with low-cost exposure and high potential for improved quality of life and symptom relief for selected patients.

Diagnostic yield of whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis

BackgroundWhole-body F-18 FDG PET has been included in the 2014 Heart Rhythm Society guidelines for cardiac sarcoidosis evaluation to identify alternate sites of biopsy prior to endomyocardial biopsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of whole-body F-18 FDG PET/CT. MethodsAll adult patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis undergoing same-day cardiac F-18 FDG PET/CT and whole-body F-18 FDG PET/CT between 10/1/2016 and 6/14/2021 to assess potential biopsy sites were retrospectively identified. Clinical indications, findings, recommendations, and outcomes were assessed. ResultsEighty-eight patients were included. Extracardiac PET findings suggestive of sarcoidosis were present in 30 patients (34%), 27 of which had thoracic findings (90%). Sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 11% of patients. Only 1% (1/88) was diagnosed by extrathoracic biopsy of a whole-body PET finding. Incidental findings were common (31%), resulting in 11 additional tests or interventions. Recommendations from extrathoracic findings affected treatment in one case: a drainage catheter placement into an unsuspected pelvic abscess. ConclusionAddition of whole-body F-18 FDG PET/CT to cardiac F-18 FDG PET/CT for the identification of extrathoracic sites of biopsy in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis has marginal diagnostic yield but commonly results in incidental findings that rarely affect patient outcome.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with biliary leakage: Technical and clinical outcomes.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the technical and clinical outcome of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with biliary leakage. All patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted PTBD between January 2017 and December 2021 due to biliary leakage with nondilated biliary systems were retrospectively evaluated for periprocedural characteristics, medical indications, technical success (successful placement of drainage catheter), clinical success (resolved leak without additional procedures), fluoroscopy time, procedure duration, and clinical outcomes. 74 patients with a mean age of 64.1 ± 15.1 years were identified. Surgery was the most common etiology of biliary leak with 93.2% of the cases. PTBD had a 91.8% (68/74) technical success rate and an 80.8% clinical success rate. The mean procedure and fluoroscopy duration were 43.5 and 18.6 minutes. Age > 65 years (P = .027) and left-sided drainage (P = .034) were significant risk factors of clinical failure. Procedure-related major complications were 2 bleedings from the liver and 1 bleeding from an intercostal artery (major complication rate 4%). PTBD is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment option in patients with biliary leakage with low complication rates.

Comparative Study of Linezolid and Vancomycin Regimens in One-Stage Surgery for Treating Limb Traumatic Osteomyelitis Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

To compare the clinical outcomes of linezolid and vancomycin regimens combined with one-stage surgery in treating traumatic osteomyelitis of the limbs caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. A retrospective study was performed to analyze patients with traumatic osteomyelitis of the limbs attributable to MRSA infection. All of these patients received one-stage surgery to debride their wounds, with subsequent implantation of a vancomycin-loaded calcium sulfate artificial bone. Patients received either intravenous linezolid (study group) or vancomycin (control group) during the perioperative period. The postoperative inflammatory markers, renal function, duration of drainage catheter placement, duration of antibiotic administration, length of hospital stay, adverse events, and recurrence of osteomyelitis in these two groups were compared. The study group had a shorter duration of antibiotic administration and length of hospital stay (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the incidences of adverse events between the two groups (5.88% and 17.65% in the study and control groups, respectively, p < 0.05). There was no recurrence in either group during the three-year follow-up period. As of year, five after the surgery, one patient in the control group had a recurrence of osteomyelitis. The linezolid regimen should be preferred to the vancomycin regimen in patients with traumatic osteomyelitis of the extremities caused by MRSA infection because the linezolid regimen showed fewer adverse events, shorter periods of antibiotic use, and shorter hospital stay. However, both treatment regimens achieved satisfactory outcomes and warranted further investigations.

Internal versus external biliary drainage in malignant biliary obstructions: is there a difference in the rate of infection?

Percutaneous biliary drainage is a frequently used method to provide biliary decompression in patients with biliary obstruction. To investigate the between drainage type and infection risk in patients treated with internal-external and external biliary drainage catheterization for malignant biliary obstruction. A total of 410 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent internal-external or external biliary drainage catheterization between January 2012 and October 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. We investigated the correlation between percutaneous biliary drainage technique and infection frequency by evaluating patients with clinical findings, bile and blood cultures, complete blood counts, and blood biochemistry. There was no statistically significant difference between the selected patient groups (internal-external or external biliary drainage catheter placed) in terms of age, sex, primary diagnosis, receiving chemotherapy, catheter sizes, and outpatient-patient status. After catheterization, catheter-related infection was observed in 49 of 216 (22.7%) patients with internal-external and 18 of 127 (14.2%) patients with external biliary drainage catheters, according to the defined criteria. There was no difference in infection rate after the biliary drainage in the two groups (P > 0.05). There was also no difference concerning frequently proliferating microorganisms in bile cultures. Internal-external biliary drainage catheter placement does not bring an additional infection risk for uninfected cholestatic patients whose obstruction could be passed easily in the initial drainage.

The three-tube method via precise interventional placement for esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy: a single-center experience

BackgroundEsophagojejunal anastomotic leakage is a serious complication after total gastrectomy. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of transnasal placement of drainage catheter, jejunal decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy for treatment of esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients.MethodsThis is retrospective review of patients with esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula treated with transnasal placement of abscess drainage catheter, decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy. Fistula healing time, patient survival, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status before and after treatment were evaluated.ResultsSixty-four patients were included in the study. Insertion of the transnasal abscess drainage catheter, decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube was successful on the first attempt in all patients, while 35 patients received transnasal abscess drainage, 13 received percutaneous abscess drainage, and 16 received transnasal drainage plus percutaneous abscess drainage. Immediately after placement of the tube, the mean volume of drainage was 180 mL (range, 10–850 mL); the amount steadily decreased from then on. The clinical success rate was 84.3% (54/64). Median time to fistula healing was 58 days (range, 7–357 days).ConclusionsTransnasal insertion of transnasal abscess drainage catheter, jejunal decompression tube, and jejunal nutrition tube under fluoroscopy appears to be a simple, minimally invasive, effective, and safe method for treating esophagojejunal anastomotic fistula after gastrectomy.

Percutaneous drainage of an infected hepatic cyst, responsible for obstructive jaundice by compression on the intrahepatic biliary tract

Hepatic cysts consist of a heterogeneous group of lesions that differ in etiology, prevalence, and clinical manifestations. Liver cystic lesions fall into two main categories: congenital and acquired. Congenital cystic lesions of the liver include polycystic liver disease, simple cysts, ciliated and duct-related liver cysts. Acquired liver cysts are further divided into infected and non-infected. There are two types of infected cysts, parasitic ones (hydatid cysts and amoebic abscesses) and non-parasitic ones, or pyogenic liver abscesses. Infection is a serious complication of cystic liver disease, which can lead to sepsis and death. A diagnosis of cystic infection is usually made by culturing pathogens from the fluid aspirated from the cyst. If an aspirate is not available for testing, the diagnosis of a liver cyst complicated by infection is made by correlating clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings. Infected liver cysts and liver abscesses can be caused by the portal spread of intra-abdominal infections (e.g., appendicitis, diverticulitis, colitis). The placement of a percutaneous drainage catheter allows controlled aspiration of large abscesses for a short-medium period with minimal hemodynamics and physiological stress for the patient. Furthermore, compared to surgical drainage, the results are comparable, while the morbidity is lower.

A comparison of lymphatic embolization and sclerotherapy in the management of iatrogenic abdominopelvic lymphoceles following oncological surgery.

To compare the safety and efficacy of sclerotherapy and lymphatic embolization (LE) in the treatment of symptomatic iatrogenic lymphoceles following the placement of a percutaneous drainage catheter. This is a retrospective study of 46 patients who underwent sclerotherapy (17 patients) or LE (29 patients) for the management of symptomatic iatrogenic lymphoceles following percutaneous drain placement between January 2017 and December 2021. The demographic characteristics, time between surgery and lymphatic intervention, clinical presentation, number of procedures, drain output pre- and post-intervention, time from intervention to drain removal, and adverse events were collected and compared for both groups. The clinical success rate, defined as the successful removal of the drain after one procedure, was calculated. Adverse events were reported according to the Society of Interventional Radiology classification. A statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, and the P value for statistical significance was set at 0.05. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences in the scale variables, and Fisher's exact test was used to compare the categorical and ordinal variables between both groups. A total of 46 patients with 49 lymphoceles met the inclusion criteria of the study. Of these patients, 17 patients (19 lymphoceles) underwent sclerotherapy, and 29 patients (30 lymphoceles) underwent LE as their initial procedures. The clinical success after one procedure was significantly higher (83% vs. 47%, P = 0.011), and the median time between the first intervention and drain removal was significantly shorter in the LE group (median duration of 6 vs. 13 days, P = 0.018) compared with the sclerotherapy group. No statistically significant difference in adverse events was noted between both groups (0.26 vs. 0.10, P = 0.11). This study found that LE had a higher clinical success rate after the first procedure and a shorter time to drain removal compared with sclerotherapy. There was no difference in the rate of adverse events between both groups. Although LE is a safe and promising technique, a prospective study is needed to further compare the efficacy of both treatment modalities.

Comparing Outcomes of CT-Guided Percutaneous Pericardial Drainage with Surgical Pericardial Window in Patients with Symptomatic Pericardial Effusions

To compare short-term outcomes of CT-guided percutaneous pericardial drainage (PPD) versus subxiphoid surgical pericardial window (PW) drainage and analyze the risk factors associated with their outcomes. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent either percutaneous drainage with drainage catheter placement or PW with surgical drain placement for symptomatic pericardial effusion between January 1, 2006 and August 31, 2016 was performed after institutional review board approval (decision number 16-783). The primary objective was to test for associations between the short-term (≤30 days post procedure) complication and recurrence rates in patients with symptomatic pericardial effusions. The secondary objectives were to test for associations between short-term complications with changes in vital signs. Of the 257 procedures included in the final analysis, 142 were in the percutaneous drainage group. Short-term complication rate was significantly greater (p < 0.001) in patients undergoing PW, 17% (19/114), as compared with PPD, 2% (3/142). The estimated odds of having complications in the PW cohort was 9 times greater than the percutaneous drainage cohort (OR=9.3, 95% CI: 2.7-32.3). No significant difference was observed between whether or not a patient experienced a short-term recurrence and any of the explanatory variables (patient demographics, imaging, and vital signs). CT-guided PPD is a safer alternative to surgical PW as it leads to fewer complications without a significant difference in recurrence rate of pericardial effusion.

Introduction to interventional radiology's role in palliative care for children with cancer: A COG Diagnostic Imaging Committee/SPR Oncology Committee White Paper.

As palliative care continues to be an area of increasing emphasis in pediatric oncology programs, it is important to raise awareness about minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that can supplement more conventional palliative interventions, such as systemic analgesics, external beam radiation, and locoregional anesthesia. These procedures, when performed for appropriately selected patients, can often facilitate discharge from an inpatient facility, and help patients meet their end-of-life goals. This article specifically discusses three palliative procedures performed by interventional radiologists that can assist pediatric palliative care teams in: (a) percutaneous thermal ablation of painful bone metastases, (b) cryoneurolysis, and (c) tunneled drainage catheter placement for malignant pleural effusions and ascites.

Arterioportal fistula with hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: A rare complication of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

We describe a rare complication of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in a 51-year-old female with recurrent hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The patient presented with blood-mixed pericatheter leak of bile, 1 month after placement of a 10F ring biliary internal-external drainage catheter through the left-sided biliary radical. Color Doppler and triphasic computed tomography angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from segment 3 branch of the left hepatic artery and an arterioportal fistula immediately distal to the pseudoaneurysm. Endovascular coil embolization of the hepatic artery proximal to the pseudoaneurysm was done which resulted in occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm and fistula as well as clinical improvement in the symptoms.

Technical Feasibility, Short-Term Patency, Safety, and Efficacy of Percutaneously Delivered Double Pig-Tail Stent for Palliation of Unresectable Biliary Malignancies

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, complication rate, and efficacy of percutaneously delivered plastic biliary stent, compared with that of internal–external biliary drainage catheter. Methods Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction were included who underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and double pigtail plastic stenting (DPT-PS) or internal–external biliary drainage catheter in 15 months' duration. Results Seventy-seven patients were included in the study who underwent DPT-PS (n = 37) or internal external drainage catheter placement (n = 40). Overall, the technical success rate for percutaneous plastic stenting was 92.5% and technical success rate for primary stenting at the time of initial puncture was 62%. The incidence of fever and hemobilia was similar across the two groups, whereas bile leakage in the perihepatic space and through the skin at puncture site was higher in patients with internal–external drainage catheter. Both the techniques were effective in reducing the bilirubin levels of patients. Re-intervention was done in five patients in DPT-PS and six patients with ring biliary catheter. Conclusion DPT-PS may be used as a viable cost-efficient alternative for unresectable biliary malignancies with low post-procedure life expectancy

S3722 A Rare Gastrosplenic Fistula Treated Endoscopically in a Post-Chemotherapy Patient With Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Introduction: Gastrosplenic fistula (GSF) is a rare complication of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) involving the spleen or stomach. Fistulas can form spontaneously or following chemotherapy and occur due to local wall invasion. Presenting symptoms often include abdominal pain, splenomegaly, vomiting and fatigue. In this case we discuss a rare presentation of DLBCL complicated by GSF and abscess formation in a 36-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain with constipation. Case Description/Methods: A 36-year-old female with a past medical history of DLBCL on rituximab, doxorubicin, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide presented with fever, leukopenia, tachycardia and tachypnea in the setting of abdominal pain with constipation. Due to SIRS positivity and severely decreased absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.12 K/UL, the patient was started on IV meropenem. Initial CT abdomen and pelvis was concerning for GSF with gas/fluid collection in the spleen from fistulous communication with the stomach. This was confirmed on upper gastrointestinal series (UGI). During esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), a 5mm fistula was found on the greater curvature of the gastric body with surrounding congested mucosa and ulceration. Tissue devitalization within and around the fistula was achieved using argon plasma coagulation (APC). An over-the-scope clip was then successfully deployed resulting in fistula closure. Follow-up UGI three days later confirmed successful and sustained fistula closure. She also underwent CT-guided abscess drainage catheter placement with intervention radiology. Abdominal fluid cultures grew Step constellatus, Strep anginosus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Parvimonas micra. Discussion: GSF with abscess formation is an exceedingly rare and potentially fatal complication of DLBCL which can often pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to clinicians. There have been few reported cases of GSF with the majority occurring in the setting of DLCBL involving the stomach and spleen. The second most common cause is Hodgkin’s lymphoma, followed closely by histiocytic lymphoma. Post-chemotherapy GSF occurs due to rapid regression of tumor burden which decreases wall integrity and promotes fistula formation. Early diagnosis and treatment of GSF is vital in reducing overall morbidity and mortality in patients with DLBCL. GSF should always be on the differential diagnosis list in a DLBCL patient presented with abdominal pain and positive SIRS criteria.

Role of Interventional Radiology in Pediatric Cancer Patients.

Pediatric interventional radiology (IR) is a growing subspecialty. Here, we review the current role of IR in children with cancer, which uses imaging such as ultrasound, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography to perform minimally invasive procedures. These include biopsy, needle localization, central venous access, thermal ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90, non-tunneled/tunneled drainage catheter placement, and lymphatic interventions. Although locoregional therapies for the treatment of cancer in adults are common, they are less common in children, perhaps due to the relative rarity of cancer in children, their typically better performance status, and paucity of comorbidities. Preliminary results from small-scale studies for ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, and transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 used in the front-line armamentarium of curative therapy are encouraging. Pediatric IR offers an array of minimally invasive procedures intended to diagnose and treat pediatric cancer patients. However, more research is required to determine the efficacy of locoregional therapy in children and to define the clinical scenarios where benefit is likely to be optimized.

Iatrogenic Bowel Traversal during Percutaneous Drainage Catheter Placement: A Single-Center Retrospective Review of 3,507 Procedures

AbstractImage-guided drainage catheter placement is a commonly performed procedure. While the complication rate is low, one potential complication is iatrogenic bowel traversal (IBT). Prior literature reported up to a 3.0% incidence of IBT events. This retrospective review examined image-guided percutaneous abscess catheter placements over 82 months to characterize the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of IBT. Of 3,507 catheters placed, there were 13 IBT events, conferring a 0.4% incidence. Rates of IBT were similar whether ultrasound and fluoroscopy or computed tomography was utilized for placement. Of these 13 IBT events, 2 were transgastric, 1 was transcolonic, and 10 were through small bowel. Of these events, one patient died of vasopressor refractory septic shock, four underwent operative repair of the enterotomy, and eight were managed with catheter placement and gradual downsizing. The Society of Interventional Radiology Adverse Event Severity Scale was utilized to further categorize IBT events with observed severity ranging from moderate to life threatening. Although overall incidence has decreased since 35 years ago, IBT events are potentially life-threatening adverse events and further study to identify and minimize risk factors is essential.

Tunneled Uncuffed Pigtail Drainage Catheter Placement in Patients with Refractory Ascites or Pleural Effusion: A Single-Center Experience.

No evidence exists to support the use of tunneled non-cuffed pigtail drainage catheters in patients with refractory ascites or pleural effusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of non-cuffed tunneled pigtail drainage catheters in patients with refractory ascites or pleural effusions. Between October 5, 2020 and May 25, 2021, 34 pigtail catheters were implanted in 27 patients (17 males, 10 females; average age: 65.66 ± 12.04years) under either ultrasound or computed-tomography guidance (19 catheters for ascites, 15 catheters for pleural effusion). Twenty-eight catheters (82.35%) were implanted for malignant etiologies, and 6 catheters (17.65%) were implanted for benign etiologies. The catheters (size: 8-14 French) were implanted through a subcutaneous tunnel. Complication rate and factors related to complications were analyzed. Catheter lifetime was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method. Patency ranged from 3 to 211days. None of the patients experienced a major complication (e.g., peritonitis and empyema). Meanwhile, 8 minor complications were observed including 3 catheter occlusion, 3 ascites leakage, 1 peri-catheter local skin infection, 1 peri-catheter local skin reaction. None of the etiologies were related to the catheter complications. However, the 8-F catheter was associated with a significantly higher complication rate (odds = 5.5, p = 0.044). The estimated mean [CI] dwelling time of a catheter was 59.18 [32.97, 85.39] days. Image-guided insertion of tunneled peritoneal or pleural pigtail external drainage catheters achieved with a 100% technical success rate and resulted in an acceptable complication rate and catheter lifetime for the management of refractory ascites or pleural effusion.

A Comparative Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Intrapleural Fibrinolysis With Streptokinase and Urokinase in the Management of Loculated Pleural Effusions.

BackgroundIntrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (IPFT) with streptokinase (STK), urokinase (UK), and alteplase remains a common practice for managing loculated pleural effusions (LPEs). However, very limited data are available on the comparative efficacy of these agents.MethodologyWe compared the efficacy and safety of intrapleural streptokinase (n = 28) and urokinase (n = 38) in 66 patients with loculated effusions. IPFT was initiated if effusion remained undrained despite the placement of intercostal chest drainage or pigtail catheter. The dose of STK and UK were 250,000 IU twice daily and 100,000 IU once daily, respectively. The volume of fluid drained after IPFT, radiologic response, clinical response, and adverse events were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe mean volume of fluid drained post-IPFT was 1,379 mL in the STK arm and 1,110 mL in the UK arm (p = 0.251). Of the 66 patients, 53 (80.3%) had good clinical response, and 28 (43.7%) had >75% resolution of effusion on chest radiographs. The clinical (79% vs. 82%; p = 0.765) and radiologic response rates (39.3% vs. 44.6%; p = 0.568) were similar in both STK and UK arms. Pain was the most common adverse event in both groups. Significantly more patients in the STK arm developed fever (14% vs. 0%, p = 0.030). Treatment-limiting adverse events occurred in five patients.ConclusionsIPFT is a safe and effective method for managing patients with LPEs. Although the clinical and radiologic response rates were similar with STK and UK, the latter may be the preferred choice because of its better safety profile and ease of administration (once-daily dose).