Abstract
Pleural effusions account for significant symptoms and morbidity. Recent studies demonstrate
a high mortality in patients with “benign” pleural effusions, now better characterized
as nonmalignant pleural effusions (NMPEs) based on their prognosis. The most common
nonmalignant clinical conditions with recurrent pleural effusions are congestive heart
failure and hepatic hydrothorax, although many other diseases exist in isolation or
as comorbid conditions. When conventional therapy fails, thoracentesis is often performed
for relief of dyspnea. Many times, however, the effusions recur despite maximal medical
therapy. Placement of tunneled or indwelling pleural catheters provides an effective
therapeutic strategy for recurrent NMPEs when other medical therapy fails.
Keywords
benign pleural effusion - nonmalignant pleural effusion - tunneled pleural catheter
- indwelling pleural catheter
