Image-guided catheter drainage of the infected pleural space.

Thoracic empyema occurs at all ages and has reported mortality rates of 10% to 75%. Most authors agree that complete drainage of complicated effusions or organized empyemas and reexpansion of atelectatic lung are important in obtaining a satisfactory clinical outcome. For initial tube drainage, a 26-F to 36-F chest tube traditionally has been inserted at the bedside. The results of this method of empyema evacuation have varied widely, with an overall cure rate reported to be 47%. Image-guided placement of smaller 8-F to 14-F catheters has been offered as an alternative therapy with an overall reported cure rate of 81% in 104 patients.