Search

Introduction: Pathophysiology changes associated with pleural effusion, its drainage and factors governing symptom response are poorly understood. Our objective was to determine: 1) the effect of pleural effusion (and its drainage) on cardiorespiratory, functional and diaphragmatic parameters; and 2) the proportion as well as characteristics of patients with breathlessness relief post-drainage., Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients with symptomatic pleural effusions were assessed at both pre-therapeutic drainage and at 24-36 h post-therapeutic drainage., Results: 145 participants completed pre-drainage and post-drainage tests; 93% had effusions ≥25% of hemithorax. The median volume drained was 1.68 L. Breathlessness scores improved post-drainage (mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score by 28.0±24 mm; dyspnoea-12 (D12) score by 10.5±8.8; resting Borg score before 6-min walk test (6-MWT) by 0.6±1.7; all p<0.0001). The 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) increased by 29.7±73.5 m, p<0.0001. Improvements in vital signs and spirometry were modest (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) by 0.22 L, 95% CI 0.18-0.27; forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.30 L, 95% CI 0.24-0.37). The ipsilateral hemi-diaphragm was flattened/everted in 50% of participants pre-drainage and 48% of participants exhibited paradoxical or no diaphragmatic movement. Post-drainage, hemi-diaphragm shape and movement were normal in 94% and 73% of participants, respectively. Drainage provided meaningful breathlessness relief (VAS score improved ≥14 mm) in 73% of participants irrespective of whether the lung expanded (mean difference 0.14, 95% CI 10.02-0.29; p=0.13). Multivariate analyses found that breathlessness relief was associated with significant breathlessness pre-drainage (odds ratio (OR) 5.83 per standard deviation (sd) decrease), baseline abnormal/paralyzed/paradoxical diaphragm movement (OR 4.37), benign aetiology (OR 3.39), higher pleural pH (OR per sd increase 1.92) and higher serum albumin level (OR per sd increase 1.73)., Conclusions: Breathlessness and exercise tolerance improved in most patients with only a small mean improvement in spirometry and no change in oxygenation. Breathlessness improvement was similar in participants with and without trapped lung. Abnormal hemi-diaphragm shape and movement were independently associated with relief of breathlessness post-drainage., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: S. Muruganandan has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: M. Azzopardi has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: R. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: D.B Fitzgerald has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Y.J. Kuok has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: H.M. Cheah has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: C.A. Read has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: C.A. Budgeon has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: P.R. Eastwood has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: S. Jenkins has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: B. Singh has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: K. Murray has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Y.C.G. Lee has served on the advisory board of CareFusion/BD Ltd and has previously led clinical trials for which Rocket Medical plc (UK) provided the drainage kits for study participants without charge, as well as providing an unrestricted educational grant to assist the running of the trial., (Copyright ©ERS 2020.)

Detection of pleural abnormalities on CT scan is critical in diagnosis of pleural disease. CT scan detects minute parenchymal lung nodules, but often fails to detect similar-sized pleural nodularity. This is likely because the density of the visceral/parietal pleura and pleural fluid is similar. We hypothesize that an air-pleural interface enhances detection of pleural abnormalities. We describe six patients with pleural abnormalities that were not (or barely) detected on initial CT scan. However, pneumothorax (either ex vacuo or from a genuine air leak) after pleural fluid drainage permitted the visualization of small pleural abnormalities on CT scan, which would be amenable to imaging-guided biopsies. This case series provides proof-of-principle evidence that the sensitivity of CT scan detection of pleural abnormalities is dependent on adjacent tissue density and can be enhanced by intrapleural air. Future studies of the potential for artificial pneumothorax to improve the diagnosis of pleural disease are warranted., (Copyright © 2018 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are commonly used to manage malignant effusions. Tumor spread along the catheter tract remains a clinical concern for which limited data exist. We report the largest series of IPC-related catheter tract metastases (CTMs) to date, to our knowledge., Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective review of IPCs inserted over a 44-month period. CTM was defined as a new, solid chest wall lesion over the IPC insertion site and/or the tunneled subcutaneous tract that was clinically compatible with a malignant tract metastasis., Results: One hundred ten IPCs were placed in 107 patients (76.6% men; 60% with mesothelioma). CTM developed in 11 cases (10%): nine with malignant pleural mesothelioma and two with metastatic adenocarcinoma. CTM often developed late (median, 280 days; range, 56-693) post-IPC insertion. Seven cases had chest wall pain, and six received palliative radiotherapy to the CTM. Radiotherapy was well tolerated, with no major complications and causing no damage to the catheters. Longer interval after IPC insertion was the sole significant risk factor for development of CTM (OR, 2.495; 95% CI, 1.247-4.993; P = .0098) in the multivariate analyses., Conclusions: IPC-related CTM is uncommon but can complicate both mesothelioma and metastatic carcinomas. The duration of interval after IPC insertion is the key risk factor identified for development of CTM. Symptoms are generally mild and respond well to radiotherapy, which can be administered safely without removal of the catheter.