Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Medical thoracoscopy: experiences in Siriraj Hospital
1Division of Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sijtk@mahidol.ac.th
Objective:
Medical thoracosopy is the investigational and therapeutic procedure for many kinds of pleural diseases. One of its indications is for the diagnosis of undetermined pleural effusion. We report our experience in using medical thoracoscopy in investigating undiagnosed pleural effusion.
Material And Method:
Thirty four consecutive patients had thoracoscopy done for this indication from 1999 to 2005.
Result:
Malignancy was diagnosed in 21 patients. Pleural biopsies showed chronic pleuritis in 7 patients. Normal thoracoscopy was found in 2 cases and the procedures were unsuccessful in 4 cases because of extensive pleural adhesion. In patients with malignancy, pleural nodules had a tendency to be localized in the lower part of the pleural cavity. Better selection of the patient should lower the unsuccessful procedure.
Conclusion:
The review of the indication for thoracoscopy will increase the use of this procedure in respiratory medicine practice and shorten the investigation time.
Related Concept Videos
Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
