Clinical Research Directory

UNC Pleural Fluid Registry

Research with biospecimens such as blood, tissue, or body fluids can help researchers understand how the human body works. Researchers can make new tests to find diseases, understand how treatments work, or find new ways to treat a disease. The purpose of this study is to collect biospecimens for research from patients with known or suspected lung cancer. The information learned from the biospecimens may be used in future treatments. The purpose of this protocol is to create a pleural fluid registry for use in future studies.

Once Daily Intrapleural Enzyme Therapy in Complicated Parapneumonic Effusion or Empyema

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out if giving certain medications once a day works just as well as giving them twice a day to treat infections around the lungs (called pleural infections). These medications-tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and deoxyribonuclease (DNase)-are placed through a chest tube into the space between the lung and the chest wall to help clear out the infection. The investigators are trying to learn: * Does using the medicine once a day work just as well as using it twice a day? * Are there any differences in outcomes between patients who get the medicine once a day versus twice a day? * Does more or less fluid remain in the chest (seen on a chest x-ray) depending on how often the medicine is given? Participants will: * Have an infection around their lung and will already be getting normal hospital care, including a chest tube to drain the infected fluid around their lung. * Be asked to give permission to join the study. * Be randomly chosen (like flipping a coin) to get the medications either once a day or twice a day through the chest tube.

Is Intercostal Tube Enough in Management of Empyema

Is intercostal tube enough in management of empyema ?