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Probability of malignancy in pleural fluid eosinophilia
M Kuhn1, J W Fitting, P Leuenberger
1Division de Pneumologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chest
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Pleural fluid eosinophilia is uncommon in malignant effusions. Its presence doesn't always indicate a good prognosis, as malignancy prevalence in the studied population influenced the findings.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pleural fluid eosinophilia is a rare finding.
- It is often associated with a favorable prognosis in pleural effusions.
- The association between eosinophilia and malignancy requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of malignancy in patients with pleural fluid eosinophilia.
- To evaluate the prognostic significance of pleural fluid eosinophilia in the context of malignancy.
- To determine if local malignancy prevalence affects the interpretation of pleural eosinophilia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 224 patients with pleural effusions.
- Identification of cases with pleural fluid eosinophilia.
- Calculation of malignancy incidence in the presence of eosinophilia.
Main Results:
- Pleural eosinophilia was found in 4 out of 84 malignant cases.
- The incidence of malignancy with pleural eosinophilia was 0.40.
- This incidence was influenced by the high prevalence of malignancies in the study population.
Conclusions:
- Pleural fluid eosinophilia is rare in malignant effusions.
- It should not be assumed to indicate a good prognosis without considering local malignancy rates.
- The prognostic value of pleural eosinophilia is context-dependent.