Abstract
Imaging description Talc pleurodesis is used to manage symptomatic benign and malignant pleural effusions, as well as recurrent pneumothoraces [1, 2]. Talc can be administered via chest tube or by insufflation during thoracoscopy [1]. It works by inciting an inflammatory reaction that results in adherence of the visceral and parietal pleura [2]. CT after talc pleurodesis typically shows high-attenuation areas along the pleura, more often linear than nodular, that are often most prominent in the posterior basal regions [2]. The high-attenuation material may also extend up to the apices, along the mediastinum, or within the fissures [Figures 69.1 and 69.2] [2]. The appearance of talc pleurodesis deposits on CT remains unchanged over time [2, 3]. Patients with residual pleural effusion may demonstrate high-attenuation talc along both the parietal and visceral surfaces around the pleural effusion on CT, giving a variant of the split pleura sign [2]. Talc pleurodesis deposits may show increased FDG uptake on PET, presumably due to secondary pleural inflammation [3, 4]. Importance Correct identification of the CT appearance of talc pleurodesis is important not only for the sake of accuracy, but also because adhesions from a prior talc pleurodesis procedure may complicate or preclude thoracoscopy or lung transplantation [1]. In addition, it is important to not confuse imaging findings of talc pleurodesis with more serious diseases such as empyema or metastases [2–4].
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Pearls and Pitfalls in Thoracic Imaging |
Subtitle of host publication | Variants and Other Difficult Diagnoses |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 182-185 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Volume | 9780521119078 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780511977701 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780521119078 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)