RecruitingNot Applicable

Transthoracic Drainage of Lung Abscesses. A National Randomized Trial.

Denmark84 participantsStarted 2026-02-16

Plain-language summary

This study aims to investigate if early drainage of lung abscesses, in addition to standard antibiotic treatment, leads to shorter length of hospital stay. Study Design This is a randomized, controlled clinical trial. That means participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. Drainage group: Receives a chest tube (drain) inserted through the chest wall into the abscess in combination with standard intravenous antibiotics. 2. Control group: Receives standard intravenous antibiotics only Each participant has a 50/50 chance of being placed in either group. During Hospital Stay All participants will begin treatment with intravenous antibiotics (piperacillin/tazobactam). If assigned to the drainage group, a trained medical team will insert a small tube into the abscess to drain the pus. The tube is flushed three times a day with sterile saline. Participants will also: * Fill out two short health questionnaires at the start and during follow-up. * Have relevant medical history collected from their hospital records. * Undergo routine scans (CT), blood tests, and lung assessments as part of standard care. * A cheek swab will be taken from all participants to study mouth bacteria.. For those receiving drainage the pus from the lung abscess will be collected for microbiological analysis. Microbiology samples will be stored in a research biobank and destroyed after analysis. Follow-up after discharge * 1 week: A phone call to check symptoms and infection levels via a blood test. * 4 and 12 weeks later: In-person checkups at the lung clinic, including: * 6-minute walk test * Lung function test * Repeat health questionnaires * CT scan * Blood tests (up to 20 ml in total over the study) * 1 years: Medical records are reviewed to asses morbidity and mortality. Participants The study will include 84 adult patients who are hospitalized with a lung abscess larger than 4 cm, located near the outer part of the lung. Inclusion will take place at five university hospitals in Denmark Why This Study Matters There are no official guidelines for treating lung abscesses, and research is limited. This study could offer vital new insights that help update treatment recommendations in Denmark and internationally. Because all five Danish regions are involved, the results could quickly be implemented into daily practice, improving care for future patients with this serious condition.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age \>18 years. * Signed informed consent. * CT scan compatible with LA (one or more cavitating lesions with liquid content). * Clinical findings suggestive of ongoing infection. * Lung abscess size ≥ 4 cm in diameter. * Imaging indicates that the abscess contains fluid. * The abscess involves the outer one-third of the lung. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy. Prior to inclusion of fertile women, a negative pregnancy test must be available. * Brest feeding. * Predicted survival of less than 3 months. * Known tuberculosis or non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis. * Known chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. * Patients with a primary suspicion of lung cancer * Recent (\<3 months) contact with health facilities outside Scandinavia. * Patients in whom anticoagulant treatment cannot be discontinued, or in whom the treatment pause does not allow drainage within 72 hours. * Coagulopathy or other increased bleeding risk that cannot be corrected to allow drainage within 72 hours. * Hemodynamic and/or respiratory unstable patient.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Length of hospital stay

Timeframe: From the patient is admitted to the hospital (day one) to the patient is discharged

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07247461

SponsorUniversity of Aarhus

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-01-01

Contact for this trial

Katrine Kristensen, MD

+45 28265001 Karkrs@rm.dk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Lung Abscess trials