3rd Annual Canning Thoracic Institute Pleural Course

3rd Annual Canning Thoracic Institute Pleural Course is organized by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - Office of Continuing Medical Education and will be held on Sep 18, 2026 at Northwestern University Simulation Lab, Basement Level, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.

Description:
The pleural course is a half day of lectures discussing the hot topics in management of pleural disease. These topics include pleural infection, malignant pleural effusion, medical and surgical management of these disease processes. This is followed by hands-on experience in the simulation center learning from experts how to perform thoracentesis, chest tube placement, tunneled pleural catheter placement, and medical thoracoscopy.

Objectives:

• Undiagnosed Exudative Pleural Effusion - Explain the diagnostic approach to an undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion, including interpretation of pleural fluid chemistries, cytology, and microbiologic testing. Identify when to escalate evaluation with advanced procedures such as thoracic ultrasound, image-guided thoracentesis, or medical thoracoscopy to establish a diagnosis. Differentiate key disease processes (malignancy, infection, inflammatory etiologies, systemic disease) based on clinical presentation and pleural fluid characteristics.
• Parapneumonic Effusion and Empyema - Apply evidence-based risk stratification tools to classify parapneumonic effusions and determine when drainage is required. Select appropriate management strategies for pleural infection, including antibiotic selection, chest tube drainage, intrapleural fibrinolytics, and timing of surgical consultation. Recognize clinical signs of treatment failure and outline next-step interventions to minimize morbidity and shorten hospitalization.
• Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) - Tailor management of malignant pleural effusion by balancing symptom burden, underlying malignancy, patient goals, and preference for outpatient vs. inpatient care. Compare therapeutic options—including repeated thoracentesis, tunneled pleural catheters, pleurodesis, and combined approaches—and select the modality that best aligns with patient needs. Communicate effectively with patients to support shared decision-making and ensure care plans reflect prognosis, quality-of-life priorities, and procedural burden.