Complications of Palliative Interventions for Malignant Pleural Effusions

This review summarizes the potential complications of interventions performed for palliation of symptoms related to malignant pleural effusion.

Complication rates, particularly the incidence of bleeding related events, have historically been reported much higher than in recent publications. Newer data suggests that many of the palliative interventions performed for the management of malignant pleural effusion may be safer than originally considered.

A variety of palliative interventions are available for management of malignant pleural effusion and have been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life for affected patients. Newer data supports that these procedures are safer than historically reported, but potential complications should not be minimized. Procedural guidelines should be updated accordingly to include more recent data pertaining to the complication rates and associated risk factors of these procedures.