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[Value of thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusion]
Objective:
To assess the value of thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusion.
Method:
By thoracoscopy, 114 cases of unknown origin pleural effusion were examined. Abnormal pleurae were biopsied in sight of thoracoscopy and compared with blind needle biopsy for pleurae.
Results:
Positive rate was 91.2% (104/114) by thoracoscopy and 28.1% (32/114) by blind needle biopsy for pleurae. Significant difference between the groups was found (P < 0.005). In sight of thoracoscopy the morphology of pleural mesothelioma, metastatic carcinoma and tuberculous pleurisy was different. The rate of malignancy of sanguineous pleural effusion was 77.1% and yellow pleural effusion was 53.0%. PPD test showed that intense positive reaction was 42% in the benign cases, but negative response was 48% in the malignant cases. No serious complication occured in all cases.
Conclusions:
Thoracoscopy is an safe and effective measure in diagnosing patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion.