Fibronectin is unsuitable as a tumor marker in pleural effusions.

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Delpuech ◽  
G Desch ◽  
F Fructus

Abstract We studied 75 patients with nonmalignant pleural effusions (50 with pneumopathy, 16 with pulmonary tuberculosis, and nine with congestive heart failure) and 33 patients with malignant pleural effusions. We selected 105 mg/L as the most suitable cutoff concentration of fibronectin for distinguishing between the two groups. We found high concentrations of fibronectin in 21 of the 33 patients with malignant pleural fluid but also in 37 of the 75 patients with nonmalignant pleural fluid. Evidently, measuring fibronectin in pleural fluid will not help in differentiating nonmalignant from malignant pleural fluids (diagnostic accuracy: 55%).

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Zaga ◽  
D. Makris ◽  
I. Tsilioni ◽  
T. Kiropoulos ◽  
S. Oikonomidi ◽  
...  

Background and Aim. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of extracellular matrix and may play a role in the pleural inflammation which is implicated in parapneumonic effusions.The aim of the current study was to investigate HA levels in serum and pleura in patients with parapneumonic effusions. Methods. We prospectively studied pleural and serum levels of HA in 58 patients with pleural effusions due to infection (complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions), malignant effusions and transudative effusions due to congestive heart failure. In addition to HA, TNF-α and IL-1β levels were determined in pleural fluid and serum by ELISA. Results. The median±SD HA levels (pg/ml) in pleural fluid of patients with complicated effusions (39.058±11.208) were significantly increased (p<0.005), compared to those with uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (11.230±1.969), malignant effusions (10.837±4.803) or congestive heart failure (5.392±3.133). There was no correlation between pleural fluid and serum HA values. Pleural fluid TNF-α levels (146±127 pg/mL) and IL-1β levels (133.4±156 pg/mL) were significantly higher in patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions compared to patients with other types of effusion (p<0.05). No significant association between HA and TNF-α or IL-1β was found. Conclusions. HA may play a significant role in the inflammatory process which characterises exudative infectious pleuritis. Further investigation might reveal whether HA is a useful marker in the management of parapneumonic effusions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Adel Salah Bediwy ◽  
Mohamed Gamal A. Elkholy ◽  
Mohamed Mohamed Elbedewy ◽  
Mohamed A. Hasanein

Background. Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeoid cells-1 (sTREM-1) has recently been found to be high in infected pleural fluid (PF). Objectives. Diagnostic accuracy of PF sTREM-1 for differentiating uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (UPPEs) from complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPPEs) was evaluated prospectively. Methods. Serum and PF sTREM-1 were measured for 68 patients with parapneumonic and transudative pleural effusion. Results. PF (but not serum) sTREM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in CPPE than in UPPE. Serum and PF sTREM-1 levels were higher in parapneumonic than in transudative groups. PF sTREM-1 had a sensitivity of 85.19% and a specificity of 83.33% at cutoff value of 250.5 pg/mL for differentiating CPPE and UPPE with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9336. After excluding purulent CPPE cases, sensitivity and specificity became 90.48% and 83.33%, respectively (at the same cutoff value) with AUC of 0.9444. Conclusion. High concentrations of PF sTREM-1 (above 250.5 pg/mL) help to early diagnose and differentiate CPPE from UPPE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 184-190
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Abdul Rasheed Qureshi ◽  
Zeeshan Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Amjad Ramzan ◽  
Tehmina Naeem ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: Conventionally Pleural effusions are suspected by history of pleuritis, evaluated by physical signs and multiple view radiography. Trans-thoracic pleural aspiration is done and aspirated pleural fluid is considered the gold-standard for pleural effusion. Chest sonography has the advantage of having high diagnostic efficacy over radiography for the detection of pleural effusion. Furthermore, ultrasonography is free from radiation hazards, inexpensive, readily available  and feasible for use in ICU, pregnant and pediatric patients. This study aims to explore the diagnostic accuracy of trans-thoracic ultrasonography for pleural fluid detection, which is free of such disadvantages. The objective is to determine the diagnostic efficacy of trans-thoracic ultrasound for detecting pleural effusion and also to assess its suitability for being a non-invasive gold-standard.   Subject and Methods: This retrospective study of 4597 cases was conducted at pulmonology  OPD-Gulab Devi Teaching Hospital, Lahore from November 2016 to July 2018. Adult patients with clinical features suggesting pleural effusions were included while those where no suspicion of pleural effusion, patients < 14 years and pregnant ladies were excluded. Patients were subjected to chest x-ray PA and Lateral views and chest ultrasonography was done by a senior qualified radiologist in OPD. Ultrasound-guided pleural aspiration was done in OPD & fluid was sent for analysis. At least 10ml aspirated fluid was considered as diagnostic for pleural effusion. Patient files containing history, physical examination, x-ray reports, ultrasound reports, pleural aspiration notes and informed consent were retrieved, reviewed and findings were recorded in the preformed proforma. Results were tabulated and conclusion was drawn by statistical analysis. Results: Out of 4597 cases, 4498 pleural effusion were manifested on CXR and only 2547(56.62%) pleural effusions were proved by ultrasound while 2050 (45.57%) cases were reported as no Pleural effusion. Chest sonography demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy 100 % each. Conclusions: Trans-thoracic ultrasonography revealed an excellent efficacy that is why it can be considered as non-invasive gold standard for the detection of pleural effusion.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2798
Author(s):  
Maria Alba Sorolla ◽  
Anabel Sorolla ◽  
Eva Parisi ◽  
Antonieta Salud ◽  
José M. Porcel

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
Abdul Rasheed Qureshi ◽  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Zeeshan Ashraf

Background: Discrimination between tuberculous (TB) and malignant pleural effusions is a real practical challenge because both exist as exudative lymphocytic type. Transthoracic ultrasonography not only identifies and quantifies pleural effusion but also displays sonographic septations, which are frequently seen in TB pleural effusions and can help in differentiation between tuberculosis and malignancy successfully, without any invasive procedure. We designed this study to determine the diagnostic usefulness of these septations for tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions. Material and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the OPD of Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, a 1500 bedded tertiary care hospital, from November 2016 to February 2018. Total of 339 consecutive cases, aged 14-83 years with radiological evidence of pleural effusion were included in the study. After detailed history, thorough physical examination, radiological, haematological and biochemical findings were recorded. Pleural fluid macroscopic, cytological, microbiologic and biochemical analysis results were also recorded. Ultrasonography was done, septated and non-septated pleural effusions identified and findings were noted. SPSS-16 was used for statistical evaluation. Fisher Exact test was utilized for comparison between TB and malignant cases with P-value < 0.05 taken as significant. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), diagnostic accuracy and positive likelihood ratio were calculated. Results: Out of total 339 cases, 49 (14.45%) were malignant and 290 (85.55%) were non-malignant. In the malignant group, only 03 cases (6.12%) showed sonographic septations. In the non-malignant group, 259/290 (89.31%) cases showed tuberculous etiology and 187/259 (72.20%) of these cases displayed sonographic septations. By considering septations as predictor of TB, statistical analysis revealed a sensitivity of 79.23%, specificity of 92.85%, PPV of 98.42%, NPV of 44.31% and diagnostic accuracy of 81.29%, respectively. Conclusions: Sonographic septations can be a valuable predictor of tuberculosis, in a population with high prevalence of the disease. We found it to be a useful feature in differentiating between a malignant and tuberculous etiology, in exudative lymphocytic pleural effusions. It can be used with confidence in patients who are unfit for interventional procedures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 195 (8) ◽  
pp. 1050-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Momen M. Wahidi ◽  
Chakravarthy Reddy ◽  
Lonny Yarmus ◽  
David Feller-Kopman ◽  
Ali Musani ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 331-332
Author(s):  
Franz Stanzel

Background: An important part of the investigation of pleural effusion is the identification of markers that help separate exudate from transudate. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to compare the accuracy of published and new sets of criteria to distinguish between exudative and transudative pleural effusions, and to determine whether serum biochemical analysis is necessary. Methods: An externally validated cohort study was performed. Pleural effusions were determined to be transudative or exudative on the basis of an assessment of the medical record by two clinicians blinded to biochemical results. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were determined for each proposed combination of criteria. Results: Pleural fluid analysis was available for 311 thoracenteses in the main cohort and for 112 thoracenteses in the validation cohort. The best sensitivity (97% [95% CI 94-99]) and negative likelihood ratio (0.04 [95% CI 0.02-0.08]) for identifying exudative effusions were observed with criteria combining pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase greater than 0.6 the upper limit of normal serum lactate dehydrogenase and pleural fluid cholesterol greater than 1.04 mmol/L (40 mg/dL). The overall diagnostic accuracy was similar to Light's criteria. Findings were similar in the validation cohort. Conclusions: Our proposed criteria using simultaneously pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase and pleural fluid cholesterol can identify an exudate with a sensitivity and an overall diagnostic accuracy similar to Light's criteria. It avoids simultaneous blood sampling, thus reducing patient discomfort and potential costs.


1990 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 2121-2123 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Dasgupta ◽  
S Saldana ◽  
P Heimann

Abstract Digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS) are present in patients with conditions associated with volume expansion (including hypervolemic hypertension, renal failure, and liver failure) and in pre-eclampsia and premature birth. These strongly-protein-bound substances cross-react with anti-digoxin antibodies and cause falsely increased measured concentrations of digoxin in serum. Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) often have volume expansion and are receiving digoxin therapy. They are also very sensitive to digoxin toxicity and have a very narrow therapeutic range (1.0-1.9 nmol/L). We found monitoring the concentrations of free digoxin (in protein-free ultrafiltrates) helpful in eliminating the interferences of DLIS in CHF patients. DLIS concentrations were measured by fluorescence polarization assay. Concentrations of DLIS were detectable in significantly more (58.3%) of the 12 CHF patients (group A) who were not receiving digoxin than in the 22 normal volunteers tested (13.6%) (P less than 0.05 by both chi-square and Fisher's exact test). Protein-free filtrates from patients or normal volunteers did not show any measurable DLIS activities. We also determined the concentrations of total and free digoxin in 12 patients with CHF who were receiving digoxin (group B) and compared the results with those for 22 patients receiving digoxin without the diagnosis of CHF or any known pathological conditions that could increase DLIS concentrations. The ratio of free to total digoxin in patients in group B was significantly lower (mean = 52.8%, SD 10.2%) than in those receiving digoxin (mean = 72.7%, SD 6.5%) for other reasons (independent two-tailed t-test, P less than 0.05).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document