[Needle biopsy of the pleura]

A total of 171 pleural needle biopsies were carried out in 123 patients with pleural effusion. The sensitivity of the method proved to be 51% for malignant diseases and 75% for tuberculotic pleurisy, respectively. Performing biopsy simultaneously with the cytological examination of the pleural fluid, malignancy was proved only by needle biopsy in 20% of the patients, while cytology was found negative in these cases. Simultaneously performed thoracocentesis and pleural needle biopsy is suggested.