[Pleural talc treatment using thoracoscopy in lymphomatous pleurisy]

The authors report their experience of pleural talcage under thoracoscopy in 21 cases of lymphomatous pleurisy. This represents 9.6% of the total number of cancerous pleurisies treated with talc over four years. A successful result with talcage was achieved in 84% of cases. The success of failure of talcalge seems to depend on the macroscopic appearance (the existence of masses or nodules) as well as an abundance of pleural liquid, all constitute unfavourable factors. On the other hand the lymphoma (Hodgkins or non Hodgkins) does not seem to have any unfavourable effect.