"Oleothorax is an intra- or extrapleural injection of oil, usually paraffin oil, with the intent to either cause collapse of an upper lobe (theoretically promoting healing), to control bronchopleural fistulas, to prevent persistent tuberculous empyema, or to prevent recurrent tuberculous pneumothorax 1,2. Occasionally, gomenol (essential oil from the Australian plant Melaleuca viridiflora 5) was added to the paraffin oil for antibacterial activity 1. The volume of oil injected varied considerably from 100-2,000 mL 4. Usually, the oil was removed after 18-24 months, however, many asymptomatic patients were lost to follow-up and never had the oil removed 1,3,4."
"Oleothorax is an intra- or extrapleural injection of oil, usually paraffin oil, with the intent to either cause collapse of an upper lobe (theoretically promoting healing), to control bronchopleural fistulas, to prevent persistent tuberculous empyema, or to prevent recurrent tuberculous pneumothorax 1,2. Occasionally, gomenol (essential oil from the Australian plant Melaleuca viridiflora 5) was added to the paraffin oil for antibacterial activity 1. The volume of oil injected varied considerably from 100-2,000 mL 4. Usually, the oil was removed after 18-24 months, however, many asymptomatic patients were lost to follow-up and never had the oil removed 1,3,4."
"CT shows similar findings to plain radiograph, of an encapsulated pleural collection 4,6. This collection may be homogenous, heterogenous 6, and even layered, with different layers formed by the different densities of air, lipids, and other products 4. The outer capsule is often calcified 6."
"CT shows similar findings to plain radiograph, of an encapsulated pleural collection 4,6. This collection may be homogenous, heterogenous 6, and even layered, with different layers formed by the different densities of air, lipids, and other products 4. The outer capsule is often calcified 6."
Expected headings
"Technique"
"Complications"
"Oleothorax is an intra- or extrapleural injection of oil, usually paraffin oil, with the intent to either cause collapse of an upper lobe (theoretically promoting healing), to control bronchopleural fistulas, to prevent persistent tuberculous empyema, or to prevent recurrent tuberculous pneumothorax 1,2. Occasionally, gomenol (essential oil from the Australian plant Melaleuca viridiflora 5) was added to the paraffin oil for antibacterial activity 1. The volume of oil injected varied considerably from 100-2,000 mL 4. Usually, the oil was removed after 18-24 months, however, many asymptomatic patients were lost to follow-up and never had the oil removed 1,3,4."
"Possible complications can occur after many years, including expansion of the oleothorax causing respiratory distress, rupture of the oleothorax causing paraffin oil aspiration, bronchopleural fistula, pleurocutaneous fistula, and super-imposed infection (e.g. empyema and chest wall abscess) 1,3,4. Overall, complications are more common in intrapleural compared to extrapleural oleothorax 4."