Abstract
Symptomatic pleural disease, specifically malignant pleural effusion, refractory benign
pleural effusion, and pneumothoraces are common diseases that often require therapeutic
interventions. The spectrum of management strategies often includes selection of a
chemical pleurodesis agent administered in combination with an indwelling pleural
catheter or chest tube.
Additionally, there is a role for minimally invasive techniques which include medical
thoracoscopy or more advanced video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches. Ongoing clinical
trials continue to evolve best practices regarding the optimal sclerosant agents and
procedural approaches in the management of these diseases.
Keywords
pleural effusion - malignant pleural effusion - pneumothorax - pleurodesis - talc
- indwelling pleural catheter - chest tube - medical thoracoscopy - video-assisted
thoracoscopic surgery