Experimental validation of talc pleurodesis for carcinomatous pleuritis in an animal model.

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to evaluate the change of pleural cavity by talc pleurodesis for carcinomatous pleuritis in an animal model.

METHODS

Models of malignant pleuritis were produced by an intra-venous injection of lung adenocarcinoma cells to male BALB/c nude mice at 6 weeks of age. Two weeks after the injection, either talc or saline was injected into the left thoracic cavity and the mice were further observed for 4 weeks. Six weeks after the injection, they were killed and the occurrence of lung cancer, amount of pleural effusion, and histological change of the pleural cavity were examined and compared between the two groups with or without talc administration.

RESULTS

Talc administration caused a significant reduction in pleural effusion with no increase of pleural adhesion. Talc administration resulted in marked pleural thickening compared to saline treatment. The vascular architecture and its area did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Talc pleurodesis to reduce pleural effusion is valid for carcinomatous pleuritis, potentially through an acceleration of pleural thickening.