Percutaneous catheter drainage of tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, and lung abscess in children

Abstract

Percutaneous catheter drainage of tension pneumatocele, secondarily infected pneumatocele, and lung abscess can be performed safely and effectively in children. Early drainage is helpful, both as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Drainage of tension pneumatocele may assist in weaning from mechanical ventilation. Computed tomography of the chest is helpful in determining the optimum site for percutaneous drainage.

Pneumatoceles in postpneumonic empyema: an algorithmic approach

“…In the treatment, there are some reports regarding IGCD or surgical excision besides cases with spontaneous resolution [3,7,8,10,11]. However, the classification of PCs has not been exactly described in the literature, and it has not been clearly discussed which clinical or radiological signs are indication for treatment choice.…”

“…These conditions may cause recurrent features of chest infection and also have a risk of life-threatening complications. In such a case, an early drainage allows reexpansion of the adjacent atelectatic lung, and thus pulmonary function restores more rapidly, and the long-term sequel of compression is prevented [1,7]. IGCD in 3 of our largest PCs did result in markedly improved clinical status and radiological findings and shortened hospital stay.…”

“…Occasionally, the delay is considerably greater [1,[4][5][6]. In the resolution period, they may cause serious, sometimes fatal, complications that require urgent intervention [4,7,8]. Most investigators suggest that the treatment is conservative with close follow-up, and invasive approaches should be reserved for patients who develop complications [4,9].…”

Decompression of Multiple Pneumatoceles in a Premature Infant by Percutaneous Catheter Placement

“…In those infants with worsening disease who fail medical management, lobectomy has also been used. 1 -3 Percutaneous evacuation of pneumatoceles has been described previously in children 4 and briefly in three newborns. 5 -7 The first report was a premature infant with severe pulmonary interstitial emphysema.…”

Complicated pneumonias with empyema and/or pneumatocele in children

“…Pneumatoceles generally regress spontaneously with the improvement of the pneumonic process, but sometimes they require surgical intervention when they become taut or infected, or when they break in the pleural cavity requiring thoracic drainage [4,5]. Pneumatocele regression may vary from weeks to more than 1 year [6][7][8].…”