Background: The use of pigtail catheter has developed as a viable choice for thoracostomy tube being less invasive, less painful and fewer procedure-associated complications. Aim of the work: to assess the role of pigtail catheter in encysted empyema and compare the use of it versus the chest tube in pleurodesis in candidates with malignant pleural effusion. Patients and Methods: There were 60 patients in this study, divided into two groups: Group I included 20 patients with encysted empyema and a pigtail catheter was placed using chest ultrasonography guidance. Group II included 40 patients with malignant pleural effusion who were subdivided into two groups: Group IIA included 20 patients who had a pigtail catheter inserted under the guidance of chest ultrasonography until the pleural effusion was completely drained, after which the pleurodesis with povidone-iodine was performed. Group IIB included 20 patients who had a chest tube implanted until the pleural effusion was completely drained, after which the pleurodesis with povidone-iodine was performed. Results: As regards the role of pigtail catheter in encysted empyema showed successful drainage in 85% of the studied patients with fewer complications. And as regard role of it in pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion showed the same efficacy, more safety and fewer complications than a chest tube. Conclusion: The use of a pigtail catheter to drain encysted empyema and malignant pleural fluid might be regarded a safe, simple, and successful approach. And we recommend it in draining that fluid