Small-bore Catheter Drainage for Fluid-filled Emphysematous Bulla

摘要

We present a patient who presented with a fluid-filled, large emphysematous bulla which was successfully treated with intracavitary drainage using a small-bore catheter The procedure was carried out under local anesthesia and CAT-guided fluoroscopy, after failure of the standard intravenous antibiotic treatment A subsequent computed tomographic scan of the chest demonstrated complete resolution of the bulla. Percutaneous drainage of a fluid-filled bulla can be a valuable alternative for more invasive treatment in patients who are poor candidates for surgical interventions