[Laboratory diagnostics of pleural effusion]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
P Jakubec1, K Palatka, T Jakubcová
1Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy Lékarské fakulty UP a FN, Olomouc. jakubecp@fnol.cz
Abstract:
Pleural effusion is a frequent reason for a pulmonologist's investigation. Many pulmonary and extrapulmonary causes of pleural effusion exist. Heart failure, pneumonia and malignancies are the most frequent among them. Laboratory examination of pleural liquid is a corner stone of diagnostics. We use various biochemical, microbiological, cytologic and other methods. The first step is a differentiation between transudate and exudate. If the laboratory examinations are unsuccessful, we can use invasive procedures - pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy. Despite all modern diagnostic methods the causes of about 15% pleural effusions remain unclear.
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