Article Text
Novel treatment (new drug/intervention; established drug/procedure in new situation)
Case report
Indwelling pleural catheter for outpatient management of tuberculous empyema
Abstract
The use of indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) is well established in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions. They allow symptom management with intermittent drainage without requiring overnight admission to hospital. However, little is known about their effectiveness in the treatment of pleural infections. Here, we present a case where an IPC is used in the therapeutic management of tuberculous empyema. The IPC enabled outpatient treatment, allowed the patient to return to work and reduced the cost of treatment and the risk of hospital-acquired complications.
- pleural infection
- tuberculosis