Percutaneous drainage of infected and noninfected thoracic fluid collections.

Radiologically guided aspiration and drainage of thoracic fluid collections is an improvement on standard "blind" techniques for chest-tube insertion. Specific indications for radiologic drainage are broadening, and instead of failed surgical cases only, patients now are commonly referred for drainage. Most of these procedures are effective and the complication rate vis-à-vis alternatives is acceptable. Soft 12-F catheters suffice in most cases and are relatively comfortable to large-bore tubes.