Pleural biopsy with Cope and Abrams needles

The object of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of Abrams and Cope needles. Pleural biopsies were performed in 24 patients with both needles. In two patients, the procedure was repeated within a few days. All patients had pleural effusion. The biopsies were performed at the same time; the biopsy sites were no more than 5 cm distant from each other. Diagnoses were exclusively pathologic. There was no difference between the needles in relation to diagnosis; greater size of the fragment, mesothelial cells, and fibrin were most frequently obtained by Abrams needle, while muscle was better obtained with the Cope needle. The biopsies with both needles were very similar regarding chronic inflammation, granuloma, caseous necrosis, neoplastic tissue, granulation, neutrophils, hemorrhage, vessels, nerves, adipose tissue and epidermis. The advantages of more pleural tissue obtained with the Abrams needle was not translated into better diagnostic yield in the present series.