Drainage of Tuberculous Pleural Effusions

Taipei Medical University Hospital64 enrolled

Overview

Tuberculous (TB) pleurisy can cause clinical symptoms and pleural fibrosis with resultant residual pleural thickening (RPT). Therapeutic thoracentesis or initial complete drainage in addition to anti-TB drugs have been tried to rapidly relieve dyspnea caused by effusion and to decrease the occurrence of RPT. However, contradictory results are reported without clear reasons. The researchers' hypothesis is that, in addition to anti-TB medications, early effective evacuation of inflammatory exudates with or without fibrinolytic agents may hasten resolution of pleural effusion, reduce the occurrence of RPT and finally improve long-term functional outcome in patients with TB pleurisy.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Tuberculous Pleurisy

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 16 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy Exclusion Criteria: * History of invasive procedures directed into the pleural cavity * Recent severe trauma, hemorrhage, or stroke; bleeding disorder or anticoagulant therapy * Use of streptokinase in the previous 2 years * Lack of clinical symptoms caused by effusions

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Chest radiography, daily monitoring of the volume of fluid drained, the time needed for resolution of fever and dyspnea, and total amounts of fluid drained, and the length of chest drainage and hospitalization

Time frame: baseline, daily after treatment within admission

Secondary Outcomes

Chest radiography and pulmonary function testing with spirometry

Time frame: At discharge and at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months