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Updated: Aug 13, 2025

Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
Malignant Pleural Effusions: Updates in Diagnosis and Management
Stephen M Hughes1, Jacob Jonas Carmichael1
1Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA.
Abstract:
Malignant pleural effusions remain a significant clinical problem resulting in greater than 125,000 hospitalizations per year and leading to over 5 billion dollars in healthcare utilization costs. Not only are health care expenditures related to malignant pleural effusion significant, but malignant pleural effusions also often result in significant patient discomfort and distress, largely at the end of life. Advances in management over the past several years have provided patients with greater autonomy as they are able to provide self-aid at home either alone or with family assistance. Additionally, practice changes have allowed for fewer interventions allowing patients to spend more time out of the clinic or inpatient wards.
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