Pleural manometry: techniques, applications, and pitfalls

Introduction

Pleural manometry (PM) is the direct measurement of pressure in the pleural space through a catheter. PM was first performed well over a century ago by the German physician Heinrich Iraenaeus Quincke in 1878 (1). Prior to development of anti-tuberculous therapy, PM was used to guide collapse therapy in the treatment of active pulmonary tuberculosis to assist in the creation of an artificial pneumothorax to treat the disease (2). The use of PM was virtually abandoned and relegated to specialized centers for thoracoscopy until Light et al. reintroduced interest in 1980s for its use in the management of pleural effusions (3).

In 1997, Lan et al. described the first clinical utility of PM in optimizing yield of pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) (4). In 2004, Doelken improved the PM technique by introducing a customized electronic hemodynamic manometer (5). Subsequently, hand held digital manometers were approved by the FDA in 2010 to measure hemodynamics pressures from central vascular catheters and later this device was adopted to measure pleural pressures (Ppl). Though four decades have elapsed since Light’s original observations, there is still a paucity of data supporting the use of PM in clinical practice. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the technique with multiple studies looking at the clinical utility of PM in the management of pleural disorders (6-8). In this review we discuss the techniques, novel use, current evidence and pitfalls of PM.

Techniques

The PM technique has evolved over the last 30 years, from simple a u-shaped water manometer to disposable digital units. Currently, there are three acceptable techniques for measuring Ppl directly: (I) hemodynamic electronic transducer (ET), (II) digital manometer (DM), and (III) U-tube (UT) water manometer. The most acceptable technique is the ET system as it produces the most accurate and reproducible measurements (9). However, no gold standard has been established. In one study, ET and DM have strong linear correlation (r=0.9582, P<0.001), while UT and ET are poorly correlated (r=0.448, P=0.84) (9). A limitation to this correlative study may have resulted in not using a dampened UT. Using a dampened UT system Doelken et al. (5) demonstrated strong correlation between UT and ET. All three major techniques require stoppage of the drainage for measurement. Choice of technique is largely governed by the availability of equipment and operator preferences. Our preference is the use of the ET as it provides accurate detailed reading, continuous data points, and allows for identification of periods of quiet breathing. Table 1 provides a summary of the currently available PM techniques.

Table 1 Comparison of available pleural manometry techniques
Full table

Hemodynamic ET manometer

Ppl can be measured accurately by using a hemodynamic transducer system. This technique involves connecting the hemodynamic transducer with two three-way stopcocks in series, allowing for drainage and transducing a pressure without disconnecting the system.

There are two variants of this technique, one utilizing the hemodynamic monitoring systems (Figure 1) which are readily available, while the other uses a non-commercially available analog-to-digital converter through a signal processor to record the data (11). (Figure 2). The custom-built system allows accurate measurements at very high frequencies which is useful when patients have high respiratory rates, which occurs towards the end of the pleural drainage (10). It can show positive and negative Ppl of each individual respiratory cycle. A sample tracing is shown in Figure 3. Data can be stored and analyzed later to construct pressure/volume (P/V) curves (12) (Figures 3,4).

Figure 1 Hemodynamic transducer manometer. Normally reads positive pressures off the monitor, and this must be adjusted based on where the hemodynamic transducer is placed in relationship to the insertion point of the thoracentesis catheter for it to register an accurate negative pressure.

Figure 2 Custom electronic manometer. This system requires a custom-built analog-to-digital converter system. The thoracentesis catheter is connected to a hemodynamic transducer which in turn is connected to a custom-built analog-to-digital converter that filters and interprets the information as pleural pressures.

Figure 3 Ppl tracing of a custom electronic manometer. Negative deflections represent spontaneous inspiration, while positive deflections represent passive expiration. Intermittent spikes represent high Ppl during cough. Using this method, the end-expiratory pressures can be compared for consistency to allow for accurate end-expiratory measurements during periods of quiet breathing. Ppl, pleural pressures.

Figure 4 Setup while performing PM. A hemodynamic transducer used for an arterial line measurement is connected in a similar fashion to a fluid filled catheter in the pleural space. A pressure bag is used to create a pressure gradient. This is connected to the patient’s chest-tube, this in turn is connected to a custom design analog-to-digital converter (ADC), housed in the black toolbox, which is connected to a PC for data acquisition. PM, pleural manometry.

UT water manometer

This simple device is made from sterile intravenous tubing, which is prefilled with sterile saline and is connected to a water column usually via a three-way stopcock in order to allow for drainage and measurements without having to disconnect the system. (Figure 5).

Figure 5 Damped U-shaped water manometer. Constructed from stiffened pressure transducing tubing connected to the thoracentesis catheter or chest tube. This is connected to a mechanical resistor (22-gauge needle inserted into a capless luer lock adapter), to create a dampening effect. Note that the reference point should be at the level of the insertion point of the thoracentesis catheter.

Ppl swings can be minimized by dampening the circuit by adding mechanical resistance, such as a 22-guage needle. This increased resistance dampens the system which lessens the pressure swings at both inspiration and expiration allowing for the mean Ppl to be directly read from the scale (5). The zero point of the water manometer is at the insertion of the catheter at the chest wall and pressures should be measured in cmH₂O above this point at the end of expiration.

DM

There is currently one commercially available DM (Compass). This system measures general compartment pressures and is not specifically designed for Ppl measurements. These are disposable, single use, manometers that display a digital read of the pressure. A three-way stopcock is used to allow for drainage and measurement without having to completely disconnect the system (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Digital manometer. The digital manometer is a commercially available system that places the instrument at the level of the thoracentesis catheter.

Other manometer systems

A system for continuous measurement was developed by Salamonsen et al. (13) in which they utilize a thin epidural catheter passed through the thoracentesis catheter. Pressure measurement occurs through the epidural catheter, while drainage occurs through the larger thoracentesis catheter. This allows for continuous measurement of Ppl. However, the authors caution that there needs to be little to no movement of fluid in front of the measurement catheter for this method to work. Therefore, this method cannot be used in conjunction with larger bore drainage catheters (>15 Fr).

Considerations

Pressure in the pleural space is not uniform; it is affected by the hydrostatic forces and the natural movement of pleural fluid generated by gravity, ventilation, cardiogenic forces, and lymphatic drainage (14,15). Pressure measurements through a pleural catheter represents the pressure at the level of catheter insertion and is influenced by the elastic forces of the lung, chest wall, as well as the vertical height of the pleural effusion. Therefore, the absolute numbers are of less importance. It can be assumed that most of the variables within the pleural space remain relatively constant during drainage so that pressure change during drainage can be used to calculate pleural elastance (Pel) (5). Elastance are measured in units of P/V and is the inverse of compliance. It represents the resistance to change. In order to directly measure the Ppl utilizing currently available methods, there must be either a small amount of pleural fluid or pleural air present. The pleural space is normally approximately 20 µm in thickness and the introduction of a catheter leads to measurement of the local deformation forces and not the Ppl akin to what is observed in the lobar areas of a normal pleural space (16). A minimum of 50 mL of pleural fluid by either further drainage or by ultrasound should remain in order to prevent these geometric deformation forces to obscure final Ppl readings.

Clinical application

The role for routine use of PM is not completely established. However, PM can be useful in the following clinical scenarios: (I) diagnosis of non-expandable lung (NEL); (II) guidance in large volume pleural drainage; (III) guidance for pleurodesis in MPEs; (IV) and management of selective pneumothorax cases. Most of prior studies were proof of concepts with several trials underway to establish the clinical role of PM (7,8,17). Table 2 summarizes the current evidence concerning the application of PM.

Table 2 Current major studies regarding the application of PM
Full table

Identification of NEL

NEL is defined as the inability of lung to expand to the volume of the chest cavity allowing for normal parietal and visceral pleural apposition. There are three mechanistically distinct causes of NEL, endobronchial lesion resulting in lobar collapse, chronic atelectasis and visceral pleural restriction due to pleural disease (21). PM can accurately identify NEL, but cannot differentiate between mechanisms contributing to the NEL processes.

Utilizing PM, Pel, which is the change in pressure/change in volume (dP/dV), can be calculated. PM in an expandable lung with a pleural effusion generally demonstrates an initial positive mean Ppl which drops only minimally after fluid removal generating a P/V that is monophasic. The calculated Pel is <14.5 cmH₂O/L. Conversely a restricted pleura, as in those with NEL, will have a very high Pel (>14.5 cmH₂O/L), as a little change in volume will cause precipitous decreases in Ppl.

Normal values for Pel were derived by Heidecker et al. (18) from a series of thoracentesis done under PM. They assumed that pleural mechanics were determined by the overall respiratory mechanics, both hemi-thoraces had similar properties and acted in series, local geometric distortion played little to a minimal role, and hydrostatic forces had no effect. Using these assumptions and complex derivations, they determined that the expected mean Pel was 7.44 cmH₂O/L for a respiratory system with a normal compliance (100 mL/cmH₂O), while the maximum Pel was 15.5 cmH₂O/L for a stiff respiratory system (compliance of 40 mL/cmH₂O). Utilizing this model, they found 124 patients with “normal” Pel values. Their sample cohort was normally distributed with a mean of 7.5 and a standard deviation (SD) of 3.5 cmH₂O/L, which in turn was in close agreement with the hypothesized model. Therefore, the normal Pel range was accepted as 0.5 to 14.5 cmH₂O/L (mean ± 2 SDs).

Traditionally, NEL due to visceral pleural restriction is separated into trapped lung and lung entrapment. To best visualize the differences of these NEL, a P/V curve can be utilized (Figure 7). Trapped lung is due to visceral thickening, results in a transudative effusion in most cases and is a form of defective pleural space healing from remote pleural space infection, inflammation or hemothorax. The P/V curve is monophasic, usually represented by an initial negative mean pressure and a steep decline in pressure with minimal fluid removal (5). Lung entrapment is due to visceral restriction from active inflammation and usually results in an exudative effusion. Unlike a “trapped lung”, lung entrapment is not representative of a true clinical entity but does describe the presence of an NEL in diseases such as malignancy or a parapneumonic effusion. The initial Ppl is usually positive and initially changes in a normal fashion with a steeper decline in Ppl later when the lung can no longer re-expand. This results in two distinct portions of the curve, known as a biphasic P/V curve (18).

Figure 7 PM demonstrating 3 distinct pressure/volume curves. The horizontal axis represents volume removed. The vertical axis represents mean Ppl. The slope between each point therefore represents pleural space elastance. A normal lung will have a low pleural elastance and is monophasic in nature (blue line). Lung entrapment has a biphasic nature, where initially there is normal pleural space elastance followed by an increase in pleural space elastance toward the end of drainage (red line) Patient with trapped lung will typically have monophasic high elastance (black line). Ppl, pleural pressure; PM, pleural manometry.

Large volume thoracentesis

Large volume thoracentesis guided by PM may potentially help reduce re-expansion pulmonary edema (RPE) and chest symptoms.

RPE is rare (<2%) complication of large volume thoracentesis, and carries a mortality of 20% (22). The proposed pathophysiology of RPE is the presence of excessive negative pressure in the pleural space, surfactant deficiency, and reperfusion injury (23). Large volume thoracentesis is defined as drainage greater than 1–1.5 liters of fluid in one session (24). PM can be used guide the volume to be drained. Current data suggests that drainage should be stopped when there is a change of >10 cmH₂O between two drainage aliquots (usually 250 mL) reaching a value of ≤−10 cmH₂O, or if there is an absolute Ppl of <−20 cmH₂O (25). These values were originally derived from animal studies. In rabbits, RPE started at a Ppl of <−20 mmHg (note not cmH₂O) and all had RPE by Ppl of −40 mmHg (23).

Without PM, it has been proposed that drainage should be terminated by symptomology of either chest pain or hypotension or when complete aspiration of pleural fluid occurs. In a series of 169 patients, Feller-Kopman et al. (19) reported that onset of chest discomfort was associated with lower Ppl and a total change in Ppl, while cough did not correlate with lower Ppl or the change in Ppl. Therefore, the presence of cough should not be an indication for termination of further pleural drainage. In fact, the group with the higher incidence of cough had lower Pel, suggesting expandable lungs. Majority of those who developed chest discomfort had a Ppl >−20 cmH₂O, while only 22% of patients had potentially unsafe decreases in their Ppl. This suggests that stopping fluid removal at the onset of chest discomfort avoids “unsafe” Ppl in most patients. However, despite using PM five patients who had “normal” Ppl developed RPE, with one being clinically significant (20).

Lentz et al. (6), in a series of 128 patients, with ≥0.5 L free-flowing pleural effusions, were randomly assigned to either cessation of drainage based on symptoms or based on symptoms in addition to use of PM. Their primary outcome was chest pain prevention with PM. Drainage termination parameters in the PM group were Ppl of <−20 cmH₂O, or a drop of Ppl of >10 cmH₂O between two readings to a value <−10 cmH₂O. They found no difference in chest discomfort (mean difference of 2.4 mm based on a 100 mm VAS score, 95% CI: −5.7 to 10.5, P=0.56). However, 6/62 patients in the non-PM group developed pneumothorax ex vacuo (non-clinically relevant finding as it did not lead to a change in clinical management), while there was none in the PM group (P=0.01).

None of the studies demonstrated that using PM routinely prevented RPE or chest pain. However, the use of symptoms alone cannot be used as a surrogate of excessive levels of negative Ppl, especially if altered sensorium prevents the patient from reporting chest pain. Nonetheless, the absolute value of an unsafe Ppl in humans is unknown. In our practice we use PM to guide large volume thoracentesis in selected cases where NEL is suspected or in patients who can’t report symptoms because of altered sensorium to reduce the risk of RPE.

Guidance for pleurodesis in MPEs

Currently guidelines recommend indwelling pleural catheter or pleurodesis depending on the decision of the patient. However, NEL is an absolute contraindication for chemical pleurodesis. A recent study found that >50% of patients with MPEs have NEL, which is consistent with the reported success of pleurodesis through an indwelling pleural catheter (26,27). Moreover, chest radiographs and PM have a discordance in predicting NEL immediately following pleural fluid drainage. Currently, it is not known how to guide pleurodesis based on the post-thoracentesis chest radiography showing adequate lung re-expansion. A quarter of patients may have high terminal elastance despite chest radiograph showing full expansion after complete drainage of pleural effusion in MPE patients. This erroneously indicates expandable lung and thereby may lead to failure of pleurodesis (7).

The most important requirement for pleurodesis is complete lung expansion. Currently lung expansion for the pleurodesis is most commonly determined by a chest X-ray (24). Lan and colleagues found that MPE patients with Pel of >19 cmH₂O/L resulted in failed pleurodesis by bleomycin, while those with a Pel <19 cmH₂O/L and absence of trapped lung had a 98% success rate (4). Chopra et al. (7) recently found elevated Pel (>14.5 cmH₂O/L) even when >90% pleural apposition was found on chest X-ray. The authors concluded that chest X-ray alone may not be the best modality to rule-out NEL (26,27). Similarly, other recent studies have found pleurodesis rates of <50% despite near complete lung expansion as detected by chest radiograph (27-29), suggesting that chest radiograph alone may not be the best modality to select patients for pleurodesis. An ongoing trial (EDIT - elastance-directed indwelling pleural catheter or talc slurry pleurodesis) is examining the role of PM in selecting patients for pleurodesis (8). Currently, we are unable to make strong recommendations for the use of PM to separate those who would benefit from chemical pleurodesis versus IPC placement. A recent editorial by Pannu et al. (30) calls for the need for PM data to provide further insight into pleural pathophysiology to improve the care of MPE patients. We do agree that chest X-ray may not be a good way to determine complete lung expansion.

Management of selective cases of pneumothoraces

PM may aid in distinguishing between pneumothorax ex vacuo versus procedure related traumatic pneumothorax.

Conceptually, pneumothorax is categorized as stable or unstable. Stable pneumothorax usually occurs after pleural drainage in patients with NEL, often appearing as a basilar, loculated pneumothorax without contralateral shift in the mediastinum. This type of pneumothorax is also known as pneumothorax ex vacuo, which is a misnomer. The phenomenon was originally thought to occur because of persistent negative pressures. Heidecker et al. (18) demonstrated that even under PM and controlled withdrawal of the pleural effusion, a pneumothorax may occur. They conjectured that it was likely due to a mismatch in the shape of the lung and thoracic cavity resulting in a localized stretch which causes lung deformation letting air to escape. Once deformation is relieved by the replacement of air, the leak is abolished. They further demonstrated that the Ppl would always return to a similar point and representative of normal Ppl, even if attempts at evacuating the pneumothorax occurred on a cyclic basis. These type of pneumothoraces do not result in symptoms or tension physiology. PM can accurately identify this type of pneumothorax, as when sequential Ppl are measured after clamping of the chest tube to simulate a closed system, the Ppl will not rise over time (Figure 8). Once a stable pneumothorax is identified, tube thoracostomy can be discontinued. Constant suction should be discouraged as constant applied drainage pressure induces a persistent air leak (PAL) delaying chest tube removal and increasing hospital stay. Therefore, the best therapy is monitoring in the absence of suction.

Figure 8 Radiographic finding and PM tracing of a stable pneumothorax. The left CXR shows a small apical pneumothorax when this patient first presented to the hospital. The right CXR was taken 30-days post chest tube removal which shows the pneumothorax space replaced by a pleural effusion. The PM tracing shows a typical pattern of a stable pneumothorax. PM, pleural manometry; CXR, chest X-ray.

With the use thoracic ultrasonographic guidance, unstable pneumothorax from traumatic injury rarely occurs. Heidecker et al. (18) in a study of 192 therapeutic thoracentesis reported only 9 pneumothoraces, out of which eight patients had NEL due to a pressure dependent pneumothorax. PM was able to identify these correctly and patients did not need additional interventions.

Conversely, an unstable pneumothorax usually occurs due to direct injury of the lung parenchyma, either from trauma, primary spontaneous pneumothorax, or secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. These tend to have a more global appearance on radiograph, and when large enough will cause lung collapse and hemodynamic instability. When measured by PM, these tend to start with a positive Ppl which slowly increases over time (Figure 9). The nature of most unstable pneumothoraces are from direct damage; therefore, this continual leak of air continues to build up in the pleural space and creates increasing positive pressure. This will eventually collapse the lungs and compresses the adjacent vascular structures leading to hemodynamics compromise. The management of this type of pneumothorax involves draining of the pleural space.

Figure 9 Radiographic finding and PM tracing of an unstable pneumothorax. The left CXR shows a patient with a persistent air leak before clamping the tube. The right CXR was taken post clamping of the chest tube which shows the pneumothorax enlarging. The PM tracing shows a typical pattern of an unstable pneumothorax, with pressure increasing over time. PM, pleural manometry; CXR, chest X-ray.

PM can reliably differentiate between stable and unstable pneumothoraxes (Table 3). Finding a stable alveolar pleural fistula (APF) may have significant clinical benefit which include early removal of chest tube, decreased length of stay, and decreased the need for additional pleural procedures. PM may also be used to further support Brown et al. (31) assertion that conservative versus invasive therapy is noninferior by adding a pathophysiological basis for their findings. It may explain why certain patients with primary spontaneous pneumothoraces develop increase recurrence and PAL after tube thoracostomy placement. This is likely due to deformation of subpleural alveolar conformation changes after application of pleural drainage and may also occur even under water seal, where the pressure remains variably negative, not zero.

Table 3 Difference between stable and unstable pneumothorax
Full table

The use of PM can aid in creation of artificial pneumothoraces for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Normally, the pleura cannot be seen clearly on conventional computed tomography (CT). For diagnostic purposes, air is introduced into the pleural space under ET manometry guidance, to create a contrast between the chest wall and pleura allowing for more accurate characterization of visceral and parietal pleura (19). Guided therapeutic pneumothorax can be used to relieve chest pain during pleural drainage when a NEL is encountered. By doing this, complete drainage of the pleural space can occur without discomfort (32).

Pitfalls

Currently, there is a paucity of data concerning the application of PM. Most prior studies are small, proof of concept, single center studies and difficult to generalize to routine practice. However, there are currently multiple studies underway to expand the clinical utility of PM. The prior studies have inconsistent methodology of PM with a few using ET and have not derived meaningful clinical outcomes. The techniques of PM have not been standardized as previously published by Doelken et al. (5).

Conclusion and future directions

PM is a useful additional tool in in the management of complex pleural diseases. Our understanding of pleural space physiology is incomplete. Direct PM may be an insight into some of the forces at play. Unfortunately, there is no robust data to support the routine use of PM. At the time of this review, there remains a scarcity of data to make general conclusions regarding its usefulness in pneumothoraces. These applications are mostly used as research tools but can be helpful in selected cases at experienced centers. There are several ongoing studies that are awaiting completion that may provide stronger evidence of PM in selected cases, such as MPE.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.04.04). Dr. Huggins reports personal fees from IBIOS, personal fees from Roche/Genetech, personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, outside the submitted work. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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