Increased Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase Levels in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusions: A Potential Predictor of Talc Pleurodesis Outcome

Abstract Aim: To review local chest drain insertions, the indications, use of fibrinolytics, and the success rate of talc pleurodesis in a tertiary hospital in New Zealand. Methods: This is an observational study of all patients requiring chest drain insertion in the respiratory unit in Christchurch Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. We analysed patient characteristics, type of drain inserted, and the nature of pleural fluid. We report the success of fibrinolytic therapy for empyema and pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions. Results: A total of 486 chest drains were inserted for 333 patients, with a median age of 69 years. The majority of patients were male (60%) and 259 drains (53.3%) were inserted on the right. The main indications for chest drain insertion were malignant pleural effusions (50.5%), non-malignant pleural fluid (33.6%) and pneumothorax (17.7%). Most drains inserted were of small caliber; they were 12 French (Fr) (62.4%), central venous catheters to drain the pleural space (14.2%), and indwelling pleural catheters (10.9%). Talc slurry pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions was used in 40 cases with a success rate of 75%. In the 41 cases of empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPE), 29 organisms were cultured. The majority of organisms identified were Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Fibrinolytics were used in 26 cases (52%) of empyema and CPE. Of the 22 patients who required surgical intervention, only two had prior fibrinolytic therapy for empyema / CPE. Conclusion: Small bore catheters were used in Christchurch in keeping with international guidelines. The success rate of talc slurry pleurodesis and fibrinolytic therapy was in keeping with international experience.

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Diving into the Pleural Fluid: Liquid Biopsy for Metastatic Malignant Pleural Effusions

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13112798 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 2798

Author(s):

Maria Alba Sorolla ◽

Anabel Sorolla ◽

Eva Parisi ◽

Antonieta Salud ◽

José M. Porcel

Keyword(s):

Pleural Fluid ◽

Liquid Biopsy ◽

Cell Types ◽

Circulating Tumor Dna ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Driver Mutations ◽

Pleural Effusions ◽

Malignant Pleural Effusions ◽

Micro Rnas ◽

Low Sensitivity

Liquid biopsy is emerging as a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool for malignant pleural effusions (MPE) due to the low sensitivity of conventional pleural fluid (PF) cytological examination and the difficulty to obtain tissue biopsies, which are invasive and require procedural skills. Currently, liquid biopsy is increasingly being used for the detection of driver mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from plasma specimens to guide therapeutic interventions. Notably, malignant PF are richer than plasma in tumor-derived products with potential clinical usefulness, such as ctDNA, micro RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circulating tumor cells (CTC). Tumor-educated cell types, such as platelets and macrophages, have also been added to this diagnostic armamentarium. Herein, we will present an overview of the role of the preceding biomarkers, collectively known as liquid biopsy, in PF samples, as well as the main technical approaches used for their detection and quantitation, including a proper sample processing. Technical limitations of current platforms and future perspectives in the field will also be addressed. Using PF as liquid biopsy shows promise for use in current practice to facilitate the diagnosis and management of metastatic MPE.

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