Talc is widely used a sclerosing agent for pleuodesis in patients with recurrent, usually malignant, pleural effusions and in patients with recurrent pneumothoraces. Two alternative methods of application have been used: thoracoscopy, in which instillation is usually by poudrage, and by instillation as a slurry through an intercostal catheter. The latter method is particularly favoured in patients who are too frail or unwell to safely carry out video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This situation is not uncommon among patients who develop pleural effusions in the late stages of malignant disease.
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