Histologic aspects in pleural diseases revealed by needle biopsy

In 59 patients, 18 to 82 years old, with pleural exudates, a number of 78 needle biopsies were performed in view of establishing the etiologic diagnosis. The diagnosis was: pleural tuberculosis in 9 cases, acute or chronic non-tuberculous inflammation in 8 cases, postinfectious sequelae in 6 cases, secondary malignant neoplasia in 10 cases; 2 mesotheliomas, and in 24 cases the aspect was normal or the minimal alterations found were not conclusive. The proportion of confirmations was of 81% for tuberculosis and 37% for cancer. The method is recommended as being of particular value in establishing the etiologic diagnosis of pleural exudates.