The mechanisms leading to a pleurodesis after the intrapleural injecti
on of a sclerosing agent are not completely understood. The purpose of
the present study was to make serial observations over 28 days on the
pleural fluid findings and the gross and microscopic changes in the p
leura after talc slurry administered intrapleurally at a high dose. Si
xty-six rabbits received 400 mg/kg talc slurry. Ten to 12 rabbits were
sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after the intrapleural injecti
on. At sacrifice the pleural fluid was measured and analyzed, and the
pleural surfaces were studied grossly and microscopically. The intrapl
eural injection of 400 mg/kg talc slurry resulted in an acute exudativ
e pleural effusion that persisted for 4 days. There was a progressive
increase in the gross and microscopic fibrosis over the 28 days, Talc
was present at the time of sacrifice in all animals. At 28 days there
was a clinically significant pleurodesis in all rabbits; pleurodesis w
as not observed before this time, From this study we conclude that the
intrapleural injection of 400 mg/kg talc slurry leads to an acute exu
dative pleural effusion and clinically significant pleurodesis that is
present on day 28 but not day 14. It appears that the production of a
pleurodesis requires higher doses of talc in rabbits without a chest
tube than in humans with a chest tube.