[Rationalization and standardization in the diagnostic of pleural effusions (author's transl)]

238 pleural effusions found within five years among our patients were investigated according to a prospective fixed scheme, and analysed according to diagnostic groups. In accordance with other authors a predominance of the malignant pleural effusions was evident. Besides the cytohistologic diagnosis proving 84,6% of the pleural effusions of malignant origin, some of the biochemical parameters are of decisive value. In our opinion laboratory examinations should be abandoned which do not contribute effectively to establish the diagnosis. For rationalization a routine programme with five examinations is being proposed: total protein and specific gravity, pH, bacterial examination and cytology.