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European Respiratory Review : An... Dec 2022Thoracentesis and thoracoscopy are used to diagnose malignant pleural effusions (MPE). Data on how sensitivity varies with tumour type is limited. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Thoracentesis and thoracoscopy are used to diagnose malignant pleural effusions (MPE). Data on how sensitivity varies with tumour type is limited.
METHODS
Systematic review using PubMed was performed through August 2020 to determine the sensitivity of thoracentesis and thoracoscopy for MPE secondary to malignancy, by cancer type, and complication rates. Tests to identify sources of heterogeneity were performed. Study quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-2 and National Institutes of Health quality assessment tools. Publication bias was tested using funnel plots.
RESULTS
Meta-analyses for sensitivity of thoracentesis for MPE secondary to malignancy, mesothelioma and lung and breast cancer included 29, eight, 12 and nine studies, respectively. Pooled sensitivities were 0.643 (95% CI 0.592-0.692), 0.451 (95% CI 0.249-0.661), 0.738 (95% CI 0.659-0.836) and 0.820 (95% CI 0.700-0.917), respectively. For sensitivity of thoracoscopy for MPE secondary to malignancy and mesothelioma, 41 and 15 studies were included, respectively. Pooled sensitivities were 0.929 (95% CI 0.905-0.95) and 0.915 (95% CI 0.871-0.952), respectively. Pooled complication rates of thoracentesis and thoracoscopy were 0.041 (95% CI 0.025-0.051) and 0.040 (95% CI 0.029-0.052), respectively. Heterogeneity was significant for all meta-analyses. Funnel plots were asymmetric.
INTERPRETATION
Sensitivity of thoracentesis varied significantly per cancer type. Pooled complication rates were low. Awareness of how sensitivity of thoracentesis changes across cancers can improve decision-making when MPE is suspected.
Topics: Humans; Thoracentesis; Retrospective Studies; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Thoracoscopy
PubMed: 36543349
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0053-2022 -
World Journal of Hepatology Jun 2022Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBE) occurs when a hepatic hydrothorax becomes infected and runs a course similar to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). It remains...
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBE) occurs when a hepatic hydrothorax becomes infected and runs a course similar to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). It remains underdiagnosed as patients with cirrhosis do not routinely undergo diagnostic thoracentesis. Current understanding is limited by small cohorts, while studies reporting its association with ascites/SBP are conflicting.
AIM
To explore the incidence of SBE, to determine its association with ascites, and to summarize what is known regarding treatment and outcomes for patients with SBE.
METHODS
Major databases were searched until June 2021. Outcomes include the incidence of SBE in pleural effusions, SBP in peritoneal fluid, and SBE in patients without ascites within our cohort of patients with cirrhosis. We performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model with pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed heterogeneity using and classic fail-safe to determine bias.
RESULTS
Eight studies with 8899 cirrhosis patients were included. The median age ranged between 41.2 to 69.7 years. The majority of the patients were Child-Pugh B and C. Mean MELD score was 18.6 ± 8.09. A total of 1334 patients had pleural effusions and the pooled incidence of SBE was 15.6% (CI 12.6-19; 50). Amongst patients diagnosed with SBE, the most common locations included right (202), left (64), and bilateral (8). Amongst our cohort, a total of 2636 patients had ascites with a pooled incidence of SBP of 22.2% (CI 9.9-42.7; 97.8). The pooled incidence of SBE in patients with cirrhosis but without concomitant ascites was 9.5% (CI 3.6-22.8; 82.5).
CONCLUSION
SBE frequently occurs with concurrent ascites/SBP; our results suggest high incidence rates of SBE even in the absence of ascites. The pleura can be an unrecognized nidus and our findings support the use of diagnostic thoracentesis in patients with decompensated cirrhosis after exclusion of other causes of pleural effusion. Thoracentesis should be considered particularly in patients without ascites and when there is a high suspicion of infection. The need for diagnostic thoracentesis will continue to be important as rates of multi-drug resistant bacterial infections increase and antibiotic susceptibility information is required for adequate treatment.
PubMed: 35978675
DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i6.1258 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease May 2017The characteristics of patients with urinothorax (UT) are poorly defined.
BACKGROUND
The characteristics of patients with urinothorax (UT) are poorly defined.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed searching for studies reporting clinical findings, pleural fluid (PF) characteristics, and the most effective treatment of UT. Case descriptions and retrospective studies were included.
RESULTS
The review included 78 studies with a total of 88 patients. Median age was 45 years, male/female ratio was 1.6:1 and in 76% of cases the etiology was trauma. Pleural effusion (PE) was predominantly unilateral (87%) and occupied over 2/3 of the hemithorax in most cases (64.4%). PF was straw-colored (72.7%) or hematic (27.3%) with urine-like odor in all cases. PF was transudate in 56.2% of cases (18/32) and among 14 exudates (43.8%), 3 were concordant exudates, 1 protein-discordant and 10 LDH-discordant, with lymphocyte (44.4%) and neutrophil (38.5%) predominance. The PF/serum (PF/S) creatinine ratio was >1 in all cases except one (97.9%). The diagnosis was established on the basis of PF/S creatinine ratio >1 (56.6%), urinary tract contrast extravasation (12%), abnormal computed tomography (8.4%), laparotomy findings (6%), and association of obstructive uropathy with PE (6%). The outcome was favorable (74/77; 96.1%) when treatment was direct towards the uropathy (alone or associated with thoracentesis/thoracic drainage). Outcome was unfavorable in the 15 patients who were only treated with thoracentesis/thoracic drainage.
CONCLUSIONS
UT is usually traumatic, unilateral, and PF does not have a specific pattern or cellularity predominance, with a PF/S creatinine ratio almost always >1. Treatment should include the uropathy, with or without PF evacuation.
PubMed: 28616270
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.04.22 -
Medicine Mar 2023There is controversy over the drainage threshold for removal of chest tubes in the absence of significant air leakage after selective pulmonary resection. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
There is controversy over the drainage threshold for removal of chest tubes in the absence of significant air leakage after selective pulmonary resection.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid, Elsevier, Ebsco, and Wiley) and clinical trial registries (WHO-ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov) was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of early chest tube removal with high-output drainage. Primary outcome (postoperative hospital day) and secondary outcomes (30-day complications, rate of thoracentesis, and chest tube placement) were extracted and synthesized. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were used to explore the potential heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and evidence was graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment by the online GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool.
RESULTS
Six cohort studies with a total of 1262 patients were included in the final analysis. The postoperative hospital stay in the high-output group was significantly shorter than in the conventional treatment group (weighted mean difference: -1.34 [-2.34 to -0.34] day, P = .009). While there was no significant difference between 2 groups in 30-day complications (relative ratio [RR]: 0.92 [0.77-1.11], P = .38), the rate of thoracentesis (RR: 1.93 [0.63-5.88], P = .25) and the rate of chest tube placement (RR: 1.00 [0.37-2.70], P = .99). According to the sensitivity analysis, the relative impacts of the 2 groups had already stabilized. Subgroup analysis revealed that postoperative hospital stay was modified by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score. The online GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool presented very low quality of evidence for the available data.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis revealed that it is feasible and safe to remove a chest tube with high-output drainage after pulmonary resection for selected patients.
Topics: Humans; Chest Tubes; Postoperative Complications; Drainage; Pneumonectomy; Thoracentesis; Length of Stay
PubMed: 36961179
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033344 -
Cureus Jun 2022The presence of ascites is a common clinical presentation in gynecologic oncology patients. Hemorrhagic ascites (HA) due to endometriosis is a rare presentation that can... (Review)
Review
The presence of ascites is a common clinical presentation in gynecologic oncology patients. Hemorrhagic ascites (HA) due to endometriosis is a rare presentation that can be easily misdiagnosed as ovarian malignancies. The present study aims to update the currently available knowledge on the characteristics of patients presenting with HA due to endometriosis. A systematic search was conducted for articles published from January 2000 to July 2020 using the Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases along with the references of the full-text articles retrieved. Papers describing cases of women over 18 years with or without previous history of endometriosis were assessed. Only cases with histologically proven hemorrhagic ascites of endometriosis origin were included. Twenty-nine studies (27 case reports and two case series) comprising 32 patients were evaluated. The mean patients' age was 32 years, while six of the patients had a previous history of endometriosis. The mean amount of drained ascitic fluid was 4,200 mL, whereas three patients underwent thoracentesis due to pleural effusions. The treatment options included not only medical but also surgical therapies. Fertility preservation was achieved in 27 patients, while two of them achieved pregnancy with in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques. Endometriosis-related hemorrhagic ascites is a relatively rare expression of the disease. Endometriosis-related hemorrhagic ascites should be considered in the differential diagnosis (DD) of women with ascites and clinical suspicion of endometriosis. The available literature is limited to case reports and case series and thus indicates further research in the field to decode the pathophysiology of the disease and decide on the optimal treatment.
PubMed: 35911338
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26222 -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Nov 2021Pleural effusions (PE) can complicate the course of hematologic disorders (HD) and may arise in the form of malignant PE or as a consequence of non-neoplastic...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Pleural effusions (PE) can complicate the course of hematologic disorders (HD) and may arise in the form of malignant PE or as a consequence of non-neoplastic complications. While a certain amount of data has been published regarding infectious and iatrogenic HD-associated PE (HPE), no comprehensive review regarding the other types of HPE has ever been conducted. To address this issue, we performed a systematic review of the literature regarding HPE, focusing on the clinical and chemical characteristics of PE, therapeutic approaches and ì outcomes at the one-year follow-up.
METHODS
We conducted our review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Overall, 283 manuscripts and 1216 cases were included. In summary, PE frequently signals an underlying HD, especially Hodgkin's lymphoma and IgG4-related disease; it mainly consists of exudate, although chylothorax is diagnosed in some cases. Although cytological examination has a discrete diagnostic yield, it is generally insufficient to render a definitive diagnosis; pleural biopsy remains an important diagnostic means in such cases. Invasive diagnostic procedures are not frequently performed because of an increased risk of haemorrhagic complications. The majority of PE are resolved by means of systemic therapy. When local treatments are attempted, the most frequently adopted procedures are evacuative thoracentesis and indwelling chest tube placement Conclusions: This review highlights the need for well-designed prospective studies comparing diagnostic means and therapeutic interventions for HPE to increase the quality of available data. (www.actabiomedica.it).
Topics: Exudates and Transudates; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Pleural Effusion; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34738567
DOI: 10.23750/abm.v92i5.11794 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Dec 2016Draining of the chest cavity with two chest tubes after pulmonary lobectomy is a common practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether using two tubes... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Draining of the chest cavity with two chest tubes after pulmonary lobectomy is a common practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether using two tubes after a pulmonary lobectomy is more effective than using a single tube.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis of five randomized studies that compared the single chest tube with double chest tube application after pulmonary lobectomy. The primary end-point was amount of drainage and duration of chest tube drainage. The secondary end-points were the patient's numbers of new drain insertion after operation, hospital stay after operation, the patient's numbers of subcutaneous emphysema after operation, the patient's numbers of residual pleural air space, pain score, the number of patients who need thoracentesis, and cost.
RESULTS
Five randomized controlled trials totaling 502 patients were included. Meta-analysis results are as follows: There were statistically significant differences in amount of drainage (risk ratio [RR] = -0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.17, -0.12, P = 0. 03), duration of chest tube drainage (RR = -0.43; 95% CI = -0.57, -0.19, P = 0.02), pain score (P < 0.05). Compared with patients receiving the double chest tube group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to the patient's numbers of new drain insertion after operation.
CONCLUSION
Compared with the double chest tube, the single chest tube significantly decreases amount of drainage, duration of chest tube drainage, pain score, the number of patients who need thoracentesis, and cost. Although there is convincing evidence to confirm the results mentioned herein, they still need to be confirmed by large-sample, multicenter, randomized, controlled trials.
Topics: Chest Tubes; Drainage; Humans; Length of Stay; Odds Ratio; Pneumonectomy; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retreatment; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28230045
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.200743 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease Aug 2016Pseudochylothorax (PCT) (cholesterol pleurisy or chyliform effusion) is a cholesterol-rich pleural effusion (PE) that is commonly associated with chronic inflammatory...
BACKGROUND
Pseudochylothorax (PCT) (cholesterol pleurisy or chyliform effusion) is a cholesterol-rich pleural effusion (PE) that is commonly associated with chronic inflammatory disorders. Nevertheless, the characteristics of patients with PCT are poorly defined.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed across two electronic databases searching for studies reporting clinical findings, PE characteristics, and the most effective treatment of PCT. Case descriptions and retrospective studies were included.
RESULTS
The review consisted of 62 studies with a total of 104 patients. Median age was 58 years, the male/female ratio was 2.6/1, and in the 88.5% of cases the etiology was tuberculosis (TB) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PE was usually unilateral (88%) and occupied greater than one-third of the hemithorax (96.3%). There was no evidence of pleural thickening in 20.6% of patients, and 14 patients had a previous PE. The pleural fluid (PF) was an exudate, usually milky (94%) and with a predominance of lymphocytes (61.1%). The most sensitive tests to establish the diagnosis were the cholesterol/triglycerides ratio (CHOL/TG ratio) >1, and the presence of cholesterol crystals (97.4% and 89.7%, respectively). PF culture for TB was positive in the 34.1% of patients. Favorable outcomes with medical treatment, therapeutic thoracentesis, decortication/pleurectomy, pleurodesis, thoracic drainage and thoracoscopic drainage were achieved in 78.9%, 47.8%, 86.7%, 66.6%, 37.5% and 42.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
PCT is usually tuberculous or rheumatoid, unilateral and the PF is a milky exudate. The presence of cholesterol crystals and a CHOL/TG ratio >1 are the most sensitive test for the diagnosis. The lack of pleural thickening does not rule out PCT. Treatment should be sequential, treating the underlying causes, and assessing the need for interventional techniques.
PubMed: 27621864
DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2016.07.84 -
ERJ Open Research Oct 2020This systematic review aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasound in malignant pleural effusion. Articles published until December 2019 in MEDLINE,...
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of thoracic ultrasound in malignant pleural effusion. Articles published until December 2019 in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were screened by two authors independently to extract data and evaluate the risks of bias and applicability using the modified Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. We described the forest plots of each thoracic ultrasound finding. We estimated the pooled sensitivity and specificity of pleural nodularity using the bivariate random-effects model. We included seven articles and found that each thoracic ultrasound finding had low sensitivity. The pooled specificity of pleural nodularity was 96.9% (95% CI 93.2%-98.6%). In conclusion, thoracic ultrasound is not useful in ruling out malignant pleural effusion. Physicians can proceed rigorously to repeat thoracentesis or other invasive procedures when pleural nodularity is detected.
PubMed: 33263053
DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00464-2020 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2019Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than at any other time of life and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. It can be treated...
BACKGROUND
Pneumothorax occurs more frequently in the neonatal period than at any other time of life and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. It can be treated with either aspiration with a syringe (using a needle or an angiocatheter) or a chest tube inserted in the anterior pleural space and then connected to a Heimlich valve or an underwater seal with continuous suction.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy and safety of needle aspiration (either with immediate removal of the needle or with the needle left in situ) to intercostal tube drainage in the management of neonatal pneumothorax (PTX).
SEARCH METHODS
We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2018, Issue 5), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 4 June 2018), Embase (1980 to 4 June 2018), and CINAHL (1982 to 4 June 2018). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials and cluster trials comparing needle aspiration (either with the needle or angiocatheter left in situ or removed immediately after aspiration) to intercostal tube drainage in newborn infants with pneumothorax.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
For each of the included trials, two authors independently extracted data (e.g. number of participants, birth weight, gestational age, kind of needle and chest tube, choice of intercostal space, pressure and device for drainage) and assessed the risk of bias (e.g. adequacy of randomisation, blinding, completeness of follow-up). The primary outcomes considered in this review are mortality during the neonatal period and during hospitalisation.We used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
Two randomised controlled trials (142 infants) met the inclusion criteria of this review. We found no differences in the rates of mortality when the needle was removed immediately after aspiration (risk ratio (RR) 3.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88 to 17.58; participants = 70; studies = 1) or left in situ (RR 1.50, 95% CI 0.27 to 8.45; participants = 72; studies = 1) or complications related to the procedure. With immediate removal of the needle following aspiration, 30% of the newborns did not require the placement of an intercostal tube drainage. None of the 36 newborns treated with needle aspiration with the angiocatheter left in situ required the placement of an intercostal tube drainage. Overall, the quality of the evidence supporting this finding is very low.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence to establish the efficacy and safety of needle aspiration and intercostal tube drainage in the management of neonatal pneumothorax. The two included trials showed no differences in mortality; however the information size is low. Needle aspiration reduces the need for intercostal tube drainage placement. Limited or no evidence is available on other clinically relevant outcomes.
Topics: Chest Tubes; Device Removal; Hemorrhage; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Needles; Pneumothorax; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk; Suction; Thoracentesis; Thoracostomy
PubMed: 30707441
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011724.pub3