[Comparison of radionuclide studies with pleural morphological changes in patients with tuberculosis pleurisy]

Forty-seven patients with pleurisy of tuberculous etiology underwent a radionuclide study using the reagent 99mTc-labeled technefit, the result of which was compared with the morphological changes in the pleural biopsy or resection specimens. First-degree pleural resorptive dysfunction (PRD) was ascertained in 27.6% of the patients. Morphologically, there were signs of acute edema of all pleural layers in both the area of inflammation and the proximal portions with reduced vessels in the microcirculatory bed (MCB). These patients had medical treatment. 59.6% of patients had second-degree PRD--circumscribed caseous foci and granulomas were morphologically found in the presence of progressive fibrosis with a small number of vessels in the MCB. 12.8% of patients had third-degree PRD--massive pleural fibrosis with a significant reduction in MCB vessels and lymph capillaries. Active tuberculous inflammation remained mainly in the deep layers of the pleura. Surgical treatment was performed in patients with second-third degree PRD. Thus, comparison of the results of a radionuclide study with morphological changes in the tuberculosis-afflicted pleura made it possible to establish the degree of pleural MCB impairments, to characterize the activity of a pathological process, and to define objectively treatment policy.