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VASCULAR AND NON-VASCULAR
INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES
Drainage of Pleural and Peritoneal Fluid Collections - Thoracentesis
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Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and the chest wall called the pleural space. It is done with a needle, and sometimes a plastic catheter, inserted through the chest wall. This pleural fluid may be sent to a lab to determine what may be causing the fluid to accumulate in the pleural space.
Normally only a small amount of pleural fluid is present in the pleural space. Accumulation of excess pleural fluid (pleural effusion) may be caused by many conditions, such as infection, inflammation, heart failure, or cancer. If a large amount of fluid is present, it may be difficult to breathe. Fluid inside the pleural space may be found during a physical examination and is usually confirmed by a chest x-ray or a chest CT.
Thoracentesis may be performed to determine the cause of excess pleural fluid and/or relieve shortness of breath and pain caused by large pleural effusions.
The interventional radiologist will inject a local anesthetic into the patients’ chest wall to numb the area where a needle will be inserted. Once the area is numb, the radiologist will gradually advance the needle into the pleural space where the fluid is located under the guidance of an ultrasound machine. A syringe or a small tube attached to a vacuum bottle is then used to remove the pleural fluid. Once the desired amount of fluid has been removed, the needle or small tube is removed and a bandage is placed on the site. In some cases where it is expected that the pleural fluid will re-accumulate, a special catheter can be left in place to repeatedly drain the fluid as needed by the patient.
This procedure is usually completed in less than one hour.
Key Advantages:
- Minimally invasive
- Out-patient procedure
- Helps diagnose infections in the pleural space
- May help ease pain or difficulty in breathing
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