[Diagnostic and therapeutic thoracoscopy: apropos of 100 cases]

Results and complications of 100 consecutive thoracoscopies performed with local anesthesia, in our department of pneumology are reviewed. The group is constituted by 60 men and 40 women with an average age of 56.1 +/- 16.7 years (13-81). Age difference between tumoral (n = 58) and tuberculous patients (n = 13) was statistically significant (59.6 +/- 12.8 vs 39.3 +/- 18.7; p < 0.001). The most frequent symptom on presentation was dyspnea, an significant association was detected between fever and tuberculosis (p < 0.001). Final diagnosis were: tumor (n = 58), non-specific inflammation (n = 16), tuberculosis (n = 13), pneumothorax (n = 11) and pneumonia (n = 2). In 14 patients some complication of the procedure appeared, all of these had little clinical significance and were resolved with minimal nursing care. To diagnose tumor, macroscopic aspect showed a sensitivity of 96.1%, specificity of 86% and 92% assurance.