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Respiration; International Review of... 2012Pleurodesis aims to obliterate the pleural space by producing extensive adhesion of the visceral and parietal pleura, in order to control relapse of either pleural... (Review)
Review
Pleurodesis aims to obliterate the pleural space by producing extensive adhesion of the visceral and parietal pleura, in order to control relapse of either pleural effusions (mostly malignant) or pneumothorax. A tight and complete apposition between the two pleural layers is a necessary condition to obtain a successful pleurodesis, but--besides this mechanical aspect--there are many biological mechanisms that appear to be common to most of the sclerosing agents currently used. Following intrapleural application of the sclerosing agent, diffuse inflammation, pleural coagulation-fibrinolysis imbalance (favoring the formation of fibrin adhesions), recruitment and subsequent proliferation of fibroblasts, and collagen production are findings in the pleural space. The pleural mesothelial lining is the primary target for the sclerosant and plays a pivotal role in the whole pleurodesis process, including the release of several mediators like interleukin-8, transforming growth factor-β and basic fibroblast growth factor. When the tumor burden is high, normal mesothelial cells are scarce, and consequently the response to the sclerosing agent is decreased, leading to failure of pleurodesis. Also, the type of tumor in the pleural cavity may also affect the outcome of pleurodesis (diffuse malignant mesothelioma and metastatic lung carcinomas have a poorer response). There is general agreement that talc obtains the best results, and there are also preliminary experimental studies suggesting that it can induce apoptosis in tumor cells and inhibit angiogenesis, thus contributing to a better control of the malignant pleural effusion. There is concern about complications (possibly associated with talc but other agents as well) related to systemic inflammation and possible activation of the coagulation cascade. In order to prevent extrapleural talc dissemination, large-particle talc is recommended. Although it could--to some degree--interfere with the mechanisms leading to pleurodesis and a carefully balanced clinical decision has therefore to be made, prophylactic treatment with subcutaneous heparin is recommended during hospitalization (immediately before and after the pleurodesis procedure).
Topics: Dyspnea; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Pleura; Pleural Cavity; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Sclerosing Solutions; Talc
PubMed: 22286268
DOI: 10.1159/000335419 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine Apr 2018Pleurodesis is used to obliterate the pleural space, most commonly in patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusions but also in patients with benign effusions or... (Review)
Review
Pleurodesis is used to obliterate the pleural space, most commonly in patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusions but also in patients with benign effusions or pneumothorax. Areas covered: Traditionally, chemical pleurodesis has been undertaken at thoracoscopy or using instillation of a slurry through a chest drain. The optimum method of achieving pleurodesis, whether surgical or medical, has yet to be proven. Evidence in the different disease areas will be reviewed, along with ongoing trial evidence, which may change practice. Expert commentary: Newer methods of achieving pleurodesis are being introduced. Studies have shown that instilling sclerosing agents via an indwelling pleural catheter or introducing drug-eluting catheters are safe and effective ways of inducing pleurodesis. There is evidence that pleurodesis might increase in survival, especially after pleural infection, possibly due to activation of the immune system. Multiple studies are currently underway to answer some of these questions and the future landscape may be very different from the present.
Topics: Chest Tubes; Humans; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Respiration Disorders; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29478341
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2018.1445971 -
JAMA Jan 2020Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is challenging to manage. Talc pleurodesis is a common and effective treatment. There are no reliable data, however, regarding the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Thoracoscopic Talc Poudrage vs Talc Slurry via Chest Tube on Pleurodesis Failure Rate Among Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusions: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
IMPORTANCE
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is challenging to manage. Talc pleurodesis is a common and effective treatment. There are no reliable data, however, regarding the optimal method for talc delivery, leading to differences in practice and recommendations.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that administration of talc poudrage during thoracoscopy with local anesthesia is more effective than talc slurry delivered via chest tube in successfully inducing pleurodesis.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted at 17 UK hospitals. A total of 330 participants were enrolled from August 2012 to April 2018 and followed up until October 2018. Patients were eligible if they were older than 18 years, had a confirmed diagnosis of MPE, and could undergo thoracoscopy with local anesthesia. Patients were excluded if they required a thoracoscopy for diagnostic purposes or had evidence of nonexpandable lung.
INTERVENTIONS
Patients randomized to the talc poudrage group (n = 166) received 4 g of talc poudrage during thoracoscopy while under moderate sedation, while patients randomized to the control group (n = 164) underwent bedside chest tube insertion with local anesthesia followed by administration of 4 g of sterile talc slurry.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was pleurodesis failure up to 90 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included pleurodesis failure at 30 and 180 days; time to pleurodesis failure; number of nights spent in the hospital over 90 days; patient-reported thoracic pain and dyspnea at 7, 30, 90, and 180 days; health-related quality of life at 30, 90, and 180 days; all-cause mortality; and percentage of opacification on chest radiograph at drain removal and at 30, 90, and 180 days.
RESULTS
Among 330 patients who were randomized (mean age, 68 years; 181 [55%] women), 320 (97%) were included in the primary outcome analysis. At 90 days, the pleurodesis failure rate was 36 of 161 patients (22%) in the talc poudrage group and 38 of 159 (24%) in the talc slurry group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.54-1.55]; P = .74; difference, -1.8% [95% CI, -10.7% to 7.2%]). No statistically significant differences were noted in any of the 24 prespecified secondary outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among patients with malignant pleural effusion, thoracoscopic talc poudrage, compared with talc slurry delivered via chest tube, resulted in no significant difference in the rate of pleurodesis failure at 90 days. However, the study may have been underpowered to detect small but potentially important differences.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN Identifier: ISRCTN47845793.
Topics: Aged; Chest Tubes; Drainage; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Talc; Thoracoscopy; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 31804680
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.19997 -
Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia 2004Pleurodesis is a way of inducting an inflammatory process in the pleural surface in order to create the closure of the pleural space. The exact mechanism isn't... (Review)
Review
Pleurodesis is a way of inducting an inflammatory process in the pleural surface in order to create the closure of the pleural space. The exact mechanism isn't completely understood and there is still a great deal of controversy concerning pleurodesis. Pleurodesis can be achieved by introduction of a sclerosant agent trough a chest tube into the pleural space, by medical thoracoscopy, by surgical thoracoscopy or by thoracotomy. The principal sclerosant agents are talc and tetracycline. The indications for pleurodesis are malignant recurrent pleural effusion, primary recurrent pneumothorax, secondary pneumothorax and benign pleural effusion resistant to medical treatment. There are, although, some contraindications to performing it. Serious complications of pleurodesis are rare and depend on the technique and agent used. The method of choice for pleurodesis is related to the experience and technical facilities available. The author presents a review about pleurodesis.
Topics: Humans; Pleural Effusion; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Sclerosing Solutions
PubMed: 15492876
DOI: 10.1016/s0873-2159(15)30588-2 -
Chest Sep 2000
Review
Topics: Animals; Humans; Instillation, Drug; Pleural Effusion; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Sclerotherapy; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
PubMed: 10988174
DOI: 10.1378/chest.118.3.577 -
Japanese Journal of Radiology May 2015Pleurodesis is frequently performed to prevent recurrence of pneumothorax or recurrent pleural effusion in benign or malignant conditions. In essence, it involves... (Review)
Review
Pleurodesis is frequently performed to prevent recurrence of pneumothorax or recurrent pleural effusion in benign or malignant conditions. In essence, it involves producing an area of adhesion between the parietal and the visceral layers of the pleura. The approach to this procedure can be divided into chemical and mechanical methods. Chemical pleurodesis is performed by introducing various substances such as talc, bleomycin, povidone iodine or other chemicals into the pleural space typically using a pleural catheter. The instilled substances cause inflammation of the parietal and the visceral layers of the pleura and leads to adhesion of the pleural surfaces, preventing further fluid or air accumulation. Mechanical pleurodesis, which is performed with thoracotomy or thoracoscopy, involves mechanical irritation of the pleura or removal of parietal pleura. It is important for the radiologist to develop an understanding of the clinical indications for pleurodesis, methods for the procedure and post-procedure imaging appearance so the radiologist can provide a correct interpretation and avoid misdiagnosis of the radiologic appearance as chronic infection, tumor or other entities with a similar appearance. Thus, the aim of this article is to review the indications, techniques and post-procedural appearances of pleurodesis from an imaging perspective.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Humans; Pleura; Pleural Effusion; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Recurrence; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 25791777
DOI: 10.1007/s11604-015-0412-7 -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) Jul 2020
Topics: Biomarkers; Humans; Lung; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Talc
PubMed: 31945800
DOI: 10.1111/resp.13765 -
Chest Dec 2017
Topics: Humans; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Talc
PubMed: 29223264
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.05.048 -
The American Journal of Medicine Oct 2022Malignant pleural effusions are common in patients with cancer. Most malignant pleural effusions are secondary to metastases to the pleura, most often from lung or... (Review)
Review
Malignant pleural effusions are common in patients with cancer. Most malignant pleural effusions are secondary to metastases to the pleura, most often from lung or breast cancer. The presence of malignant effusion indicates advanced disease and poor survival; in lung cancer, the presence of malignant effusion upstages the cancer to stage 4. Usually presenting as a large, unilateral exudative effusion, most patients with malignant pleural effusion experience dyspnea. Prior to intervention, diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and exclusion of infection should be made. Thoracic imaging is typically performed, with computed tomography considered by many to be the gold standard. Thoracic ultrasound is also useful, particularly if diaphragmatic or pleural thickening and nodularity can be identified. Cytology should then be obtained; this is typically done via pleural fluid aspiration or pleural biopsy. Treatment focuses on palliation and relief of symptoms. Numerous interventions are available, ranging from drainage with thoracentesis or indwelling pleural catheter to more definitive, invasive options such as pleurodesis. There is no clear best approach, and a patient-centered approach should be taken.
Topics: Drainage; Humans; Palliative Care; Pleural Effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis; Thoracentesis; Thoracoscopy
PubMed: 35576996
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.04.017 -
Chest Dec 2016
Topics: Humans; Pleurodesis; Pneumothorax; Talc
PubMed: 27938765
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.09.046