Objectives: Small-bore pigtail catheters are now being used more frequently for draining pleural effusions. This study aimed to measure the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of these devices in different clinical conditions. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 141 patients with pleural effusions of various etiologies who underwent ultrasound-guided pigtail catheter insertion at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Results: The majority 109 (77.3%) of patients had exudates. The mean age was 50.0±18.6 years in patients with exudates and 67.3±15.5 in patients with transudates (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference (p = 0.232) in the median drainage duration between exudates (6.0 days) and transudates (4.5 days). The incidence of pain requiring regular analgesics, pneumothorax, and blockage were 36.2% (n = 51), 2.8% (n = 4), and 0.7% (n = 1), respectively. The overall success rate of pleural effusion drainage was 90.1%. Among the 109 cases of exudative pleural effusion, 89.0% were successful compared to a 93.8% success rate among patients with transudative effusion (p = 0.737). Short-term success rates were high in all causes of effusions: lung cancer (100%), metastasis (90.0%), pleural infections (83.3%), cardiac failure (94.7%), renal disease (85.7%), and liver disease (100%). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided pigtail catheter insertion is an effective, comfortable, and safe method of draining pleural fluid. It should be considered as the first intervention if drainage of a pleural effusion is clinically indicated.

Abstract Objectives: Tympanic membrane retraction pathology is a frequently encountered middle ear problem that can be a self cleansing pocket, a deep sac with hidden cholesteatoma or a potential reservoir for its future formation. In selected cases, a defect in attic and posterior superior canal wall can result after surgical removal of the diseased epithelium and/or cholesteatoma. If this occurs, reconstruction is usually attempted. Avoiding an open cavity in such conditions is currently the preferred approach. We sought to study the cartilage reconstruction outcomes of the attic and/or posterior superior canal wall defects for selected cases of retraction pathology without a need for an open mastoid cavity. We investigated the short and long term results with regards to the resorption with time, displacement or recurrence of cholesteatoma. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Al Nahda Hospital in Oman between 2008 and 2014. A total 301 patients who underwent inside-out atticotomy with attic defect repair or cortical mastoidectomy with atticotomy and attic defect repair were included in the study. Staging and classication criteria for middle ear cholesteatoma proposed by the Japan Otological Society (JOS) were applied based on surgical and follow-up notes in cases with recurrent cholesteatoma. The status of the reconstructed part of the outer attic wall with respect to survival and stability of cartilage was assessed carefully at less than six months (short term) and at more than two year periods (long term) after surgery. Results: Out of 301 patients who underwent mastoid surgeries between 2008 and 2014, 72 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results of both surgical methods were then assessed. It was noted that the longer the duration after postoperative period (> 2 years), the more chance to have a recurrence of disease, displacement/ resorption of the reconstructed part or retraction/perforation of tympanic membrane (p < 0.026). Moreover, the reconstruction part of the attic and posterior superior canal wall may be resorbed with time in some cases as shown in this study (9.4%). However, the rate is low and worth considering in all the cases of attic or selected atticoantral cholesteatomas. Conclusion: Resorption and displacement of the reconstructed part of the attic and/or posterior superior canal wall was observed during the follow–up period of this study. This may have contributed to the retraction pocket reformation followed by the recurrence of cholesteatoma. It was noted to be more obvious during long duration of follow-up. Hence, we recommend a longer follow-up of at least 2 years post operatively even if the ndings are showing good results during initial visits. Although the recurrence rate of disease with the used surgical methods in this study was 16.9%, in order to compare the results of this surgical method with either canal wall up or canal wall down, future surgical methods will require a randomized trial. Key words: Cholesteatoma, mastoidectomy, reconstruction, cartilage, canal wall, atticotomy