scholarly journals Profile of exudative pleural effusion in the region of Bhuj people

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057
Author(s):  
Vishal K. Desai ◽  
Rashmi S. Arora

Background: Exudative pleural effusions are a common diagnostic problem in clinical practice, as the list of causes is quite exhaustive, although sometimes they can be inferred from the clinical picture. In the West the most common cause is Para pneumonic effusions followed by malignancy, while in India it is tubercular effusion followed by malignant effusion. Despite the availability of various tests, there is a need for defining the best diagnostic and cost-effective approach to quickly diagnose and treat exudative pleural effusions. The objectives are to conduct a clinical and etiological study of exudative pleural effusion, to evaluate biochemical profile, cytological profile and radiological profiles of exudative pleural effusion.Methods: Prospective study of 100 patients with exudative pleural effusions. The demographic data was expressed as mean±standard deviation. Comparison between groups was done by Chi-Square test and Fischer exact test for categorical variables and Kruskar-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests for continuous variables.Results: There were 67 males and 33 females. The mean age was 41.6±15.74. The majority were tubercular in origin (67%),13%,8%,3%and 6% were malignant effusions, Synpneumonic effusion, pancreatic effusions and empyema respectively. Diagnosis was not established in 3% of effusions. Massive effusions were seen in 53.8% of malignant effusions and 33.3% of empyemas. Most effusions had a total cell count between 1000 to 5000 cells /mm3.Lymphocyte predominant effusions were seen in 84.6% and 89.6% of malignant and tubercular effusions. 61.5% of malignant effusions had a positive cytology. Tubercular effusion had a pleural fluid ADA more than 40 IU/L. 92.3% of malignant effusion had pleural fluid ADA less than 30IU.Conclusions: Pleural effusion is a commonly encountered in medical practice and in our country, the commonest cause is tuberculosis, as is evidenced from the present study. The initial step in evaluating case of pleural effusion is to establish the cause of pleural effusion which is done by a detailed history, clinical examination and investigations like a chest radiology and pleural fluid analysis. Even in the advanced diagnostic approaches, still detailed clinical history and examination of the patient of the patient is important to make a clinical diagnosis. All suspected cases of pleural effusion should undergo Sonography of the thorax along with routine chest x-ray. Fluid cytology should be done to confirm tuberculosis or to rule out malignancy, which guides the physician for further evaluation of the patient if required.

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuneyt Tetikkurt ◽  
Nail Yılmaz ◽  
Seza Tetikkurt ◽  
Şule Gundogdu ◽  
Rian Disci

The sensitivity and specificity of exfoliative cell cytology for the diagnosis of exudative pleural effusions varies widely according to the etiologic causes. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of exfoliative cell cytology for the identification of exudative pleural effusions. This is a retrospective study of the patients with an exudative pleural effusion admitted at our clinic in the last twenty years. We have conducted the clinical, the cytological findings, and the diagnostic results of six hundred patients from hospital records.  Male to female ratio was 2.2:1 with a mean age of 42.8 years (range 18-78 years) among the patients. Samples were processed and evaluated according to the standard methods. Cytology results were reviewed and the patients were stratified according to the final diagnosis of their disease. Of the six hundred exudative effusions, 240 were malignant on exfoliative cytology pleural fluid alone. Adenocarcinoma was the most common type of malignancy. Tuberculosis was the second most frequent etiology for the exudative effusions followed by infection and collagen vascular diseases. Diagnostic accuracy of cytology showed a good correlation with the final diagnosis with an overall 70.1% sensitivity, 62.5% specificity, and a 95.9% positive predictive value for all exudative pleural effusions. Cytologic examination of the pleural fluid is a simple non-invasive procedure as the initial step for the diagnostic work up of patients with a pleural effusion.  Exfoliative cytology provides high a final diagnostic yield for the identification of an exudative pleural effusion etiology. Furthermore, cytologic analysis leads the clinician into the correct diagnostic pathway as the most informative laboratory tool even when it was not diagnostic by itself for equivocal cases.


POCUS Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
Peter T. Evans ◽  
Robert S. Zhang ◽  
Yulei Cao ◽  
Sean Breslin ◽  
Nova Panebianco ◽  
...  

Objectives: Pleural effusion is a common reason for hospital admission with thoracentesis often required to diagnose an underlying cause. This study aimed to determine if the imaging characteristics of TUS effectively differentiates between transudative and exudative pleural fluid. Methods: Patients undergoing TUS with pleural fluid analysis were retrospectively identified at a single center between July 2016 and March 2018. TUS images were interpreted and characterized by established criteria. We determined diagnostic performance characteristics of image criteria to distinguish transudative from exudative pleural effusions.  Results: 166 patients underwent thoracentesis for fluid analysis of which 48% had a known malignancy. 74% of the pleural effusions were characterized as exudative by Light’s Criteria. TUS demonstrated anechoic effusions in 118 (71%) of samples. The presences of septations on TUS was highly specific in for exudative effusions (95.2%) with high positive predictive values (89.5%) and likelihood ratio (2.85). No TUS characteristics, even when adjusting for patient characteristics such as heart failure or malignancy, were sensitive for exudative effusions.  Conclusions: Among our cohort, anechoic images did not allow reliable differentiation between transudative and exudative fluid. Presence of complex septated or complex homogenous appearance was high specific and predictive of exudative fluid.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akash Verma ◽  
Rucha S. Dagaonkar ◽  
Dominic Marshall ◽  
John Abisheganaden ◽  
R. W. Light

Background. We performed prospective validation of the cancer ratio (serum LDH : pleural ADA ratio), previously reported as predictive of malignant effusion retrospectively, and assessed the effect of combining it with “pleural lymphocyte count” in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE).Methods. Prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with lymphocyte predominant exudative pleural effusion in 2015.Results. 118 patients, 84 (71.2%) having MPE and 34 (28.8%) having tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), were analysed. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, cancer ratio, serum LDH : pleural fluid lymphocyte count ratio, and “cancer ratio plus” (ratio of cancer ratio and pleural fluid lymphocyte count) correlated positively with MPE. The sensitivity and specificity of cancer ratio, ratio of serum LDH : pleural fluid lymphocyte count, and “cancer ratio plus” were 0.95 (95% CI 0.87–0.98) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.68–0.94), 0.63 (95% CI 0.51–0.73) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.68–0.94), and 97.6 (95% CI 0.90–0.99) and 94.1 (95% CI 0.78–0.98) at the cut-off level of >20, >800, and >30, respectively.Conclusion. Without incurring any additional cost, or requiring additional test, effort, or time, cancer ratio maintained and “cancer ratio plus” improved the specificity of cancer ratio in identifying MPE in the prospective cohort.


Author(s):  
Ashok Kuwal ◽  
Manish Advani ◽  
Naveen Dutt ◽  
Seemant Saini ◽  
Surjit Singh

Semirigid thoracoscopy is increasingly becoming the procedure of choice for evaluation of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions. Few studies have reported relationship of thoracoscopic appearances of pleural abnormalities and etiological diagnoses. We aimed our study to assess the diagnostic utility and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy for evaluation of patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. Further, we also pursued to find any relation of various thoracoscopic findings with the final diagnosis. We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion who underwent semirigid thoracoscopy. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data along with data on thoracoscopic appearance of various pleural abnormalities and histopathological diagnosis of pleural biopsy specimens were collected and analysed. Semirigid thoracoscopy was diagnostic in 46 (N=55) patients (83.64%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 31 patients (56.36%), of which adenocarcinoma was the most common histopathological diagnosis (45.16%).  Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV LR+ and LR- of thoracoscopy were 93.87%, 100%, 100%, 66.67%, 40.30 and 0.06, respectively. Pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid significantly increased the diagnosis yield of malignancy [OR= 37.16 (95%CI = 3.61-382.65),  =0.002]. The procedure related complications were mild and transient. Post- procedural pain (20%) was most commonly reported followed by dry cough (18.18%), sub-cutaneous emphysema (7.27%) and anaesthesia related complication (1.82%). Semirigid thoracoscopy is simple, safe and effective procedure in diagnosing exudative pleural effusion of unknown etiology with high diagnostic accuracy and minor procedure related complications. The likelihood of diagnosing malignancy is high if combination of pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid is present.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Salah Bediwy ◽  
Hesham Galal Amer

Background. Use of small-bore pigtail catheter is a less invasive way for draining pleural effusions than chest tube thoracostomy. Methods. Prospectively, we evaluated efficacy and safety of pigtail catheter (8.5–14 French) insertion in 51 cases of pleural effusion of various etiologies. Malignant effusion cases had pleurodesis done through the catheter. Results. Duration of drainage of pleural fluid was 3–14 days. Complications included pain (23 patients), pneumothorax (10 patients), catheter blockage (two patients), and infection (one patient). Overall success rate was 82.35% (85.71% for transudative, 83.33% for tuberculous, 81.81% for malignant, and 80% for parapneumonic effusion). Nine cases had procedure failure, five due to loculated effusions, and four due to rapid reaccumulation of fluid after catheter removal. Only two empyema cases (out of six) had a successful procedure. Conclusion. Pigtail catheter insertion is an effective and safe method of draining pleural fluid. We encourage its use for all cases of pleural effusion requiring chest drain except for empyema and other loculated effusions that yielded low success rate.


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.


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&lt;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&lt;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.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saadet Akarsu ◽  
A. Nese Citak Kurt ◽  
Yasar Dogan ◽  
Erdal Yilmaz ◽  
Ahmet Godekmerdan ◽  
...  

The aim is to examine whether the changes in pleural fluid interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were significant in differential diagnosis of childhood pleural effusions. IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 levels in pleural fluids of all 36 patients were measured. The levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in pleural fluids were statistically significantly higher in the transudate group compared with those of the exudate group. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 were also found to be statistically significantly higher in the empyema group compared with both the parapneumonic and the tuberculous pleural effusion groups. The levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were detected to be statistically significantly higher in the tuberculous pleural effusion group in comparison with those of the parapneumonic effusion group. The results showed that pleural fluids IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 could be used in pleural fluids exudate and transudate distinction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (47) ◽  
pp. 2783-2786
Author(s):  
Vengada Krishnaraj S.P. ◽  
Gayathri S. Mohan ◽  
Vinod Kumar V ◽  
Sridhar R

BACKGROUND The diagnostic yield of thoracoscopy is 95 %, of pleural fluid cytology it is 62 % and of closed pleural biopsy is 44 %, in malignant effusion. We wanted to study the diagnostic utility of flexible thoracoscopy in undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion and compare the thoracoscopy findings with the histopathology results. METHODS The study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, from January 2019 to January 2020. 40 patients were enrolled in this longitudinal observational study with moderate to massive effusion and were evaluated with pleural fluid aspiration and sent for cytology, protein sugar analysis, total count, and ADA. Those cases which are exudative pleural effusions, with ADA value of less than 40 IU / L were subjected to thoracoscopy after being evaluated for fitness for thoracoscopy with complete blood count, bleeding time, clotting time, sputum for AFB, ECG, pulse oximetry, cardiac evaluation and CT chest. RESULTS Thoracoscopy was done in 40 enrolled patients. In this study, biopsy was taken from the parietal pleura in all the cases. Of these 40 cases, 30 were male and 10 were female, that is 75 % males and 25 % females. The mean age of the study population was 43 ± 14.9. Patient with the lowest age in this study group was 18 years and highest was 71 years. 16 cases (40 %) presented with left sided pleural effusion. 24 cases (60 %) presented with right sided pleural effusion. 30 cases presented with massive effusion, and 10 cases with moderate effusion. Of the 40 cases, 27 cases presented with straw coloured pleural effusion. 13 cases were haemorrhagic effusion. Histopathologic examination showed 11 cases as malignant and 29 cases as non-malignant out of which 18 cases were of tuberculosis aetiology. Thoracoscopy revealed adhesions in 13 cases and mass lesion in 4 cases. Of the 4 mass lesions 3 came as malignant, normal pleura in 11 cases, 10 were non-malignant and 1 was malignant. Nodules were seen in 12 cases of which 7 came as malignant. Straw coloured effusion was seen in 27 cases, of which 2 were malignant. CONCLUSIONS The most important indication for thoracoscopy is exudative undiagnosed pleural effusion. The overall diagnostic yield in pleural fluid cytology is 62 % and blind pleural biopsy is 44 %. The diagnostic yield of thoracoscopy varies from 60 % to 97 % in various studies, whereas, in our study, it is 72.5 %. Visualization of the visceral and parietal pleura is another advantage, so that we can take biopsy from the abnormal areas. KEYWORDS Flexible Thoracoscopy, Undiagnosed Exudative Pleural Effusion


Chest Imaging ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 165-170
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Walker

Pleural effusion discusses the radiographic and computed tomography (CT) manifestations of this entity. Pleural effusion is classified based on pleural fluid analysis using Light’s criteria: transudative and exudative. Free pleural fluid collects in the most dependent aspect of the pleural space due to gravitational effects. It exhibits a meniscus configuration on upright chest radiography. Pleural effusion in a supine or semiupright patient is more difficult to identify but may be suspected in cases with a homogeneous or gradient-like opacity over the lower hemithorax, elevation of the hemidiaphragm contour, or an apical cap. Subpulmonic pleural effusion manifests with lateral displacement of the apex of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm contour and increased distance between the gastric air bubble and pseudodiaphragmatic contour. Exudative pleural effusion should be suspected in cases with CT findings of pleural thickening, enhancement, septations, and/or loculations.


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