Efficiency of Pleural Fluid Examination Pleural Needle Biopsy and Thoracoscopy in Etiological Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Pleural effusion is frequently a difficult clinical problem and its etiological diagnosis is very important to reach a proper management . A variety of diseases may be associated with pleural effusion and several techniques are employed to determine the diagnosis . Percutaneous pleural needle biopsy is a simple, accurate and safe diagnostic teclmique in patients with unexplained pleural effusion especially of malignant or tuberculous origin . Unfortunately, it is still an underused teclmique.

This work was performed to study and evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of the pleural needle biopsy either alone or in combination with pleural fluid examination for etiological diagnosis of pleural effusion.

Fifty-two patients with pleural effusion, were included in this study (33 males and 19 females) during the period between July,2000 and July,2001. These patients were admitted at chest department of Assiut University Hospital and submitted to complete history, clinical examination, X-ray chest, chest ultrasound and other routine investigations . Pleural fluid was examined in all patients physically, bacteriologically and cytopathologically . Examination of the fluid was repeated up to 3 times in those patients with initially negative or not conclusive samples . Percutaneous pleural needle biopsy using Cope's needle was performed in all patients included in this study and this procedure was repeated in 22 patients with initially negative or not conclusive biopsy .