An investigation of adequate volume for the diagnosis of malignancy in pleural fluids

Abstract

Between 25 and 50 ml of fluid are required for the adequate assessment of pleural effusions for malignancy.

Positive pleural cytology is an indicator for visceral pleural invasion in metastatic pleural effusions

“…7 Yet, the accuracy of pleural cytology analysis is widely variable with reported sensitivity of 33%-72%. 12,13 The pleural extension of the disease, in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), has been shown to be a factor of positive pleural cytology. 12,13 The pleural extension of the disease, in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), has been shown to be a factor of positive pleural cytology.…”

The minimum volume of pleural fluid required to diagnose malignant pleural effusion: A retrospective study

“…[6] would suggest that 25–50 mL of pleural fluid would be adequate to diagnose malignant pleural effusion and that there were no statistical differences in the diagnostic rate between the three groups in our study, these differences may be clinically relevant. Rooper et al .…”

“…found 25–50 mL of fluid was adequate to diagnose malignant pleural effusion. [6] The recent retrospective analysis of 2450 cases by Rooper et al . supports the use of 75 mL as a minimum cut-off volume for effusion specimen.…”

“…Cytological analysis has sensitivity from 40% to 87% for malignant pleural effusion,[123] however, the optimal volume of fluid to be sent for cytological analysis is unclear, and only a few studies have addressed this issue. [4567] In an attempt to address this question, we started to divide pleural fluid into three different volumes for cytological examination. We report our findings in this study.…”

Year in review 2011: Respiratory infections, tuberculosis, pleural diseases, bronchoscopic intervention and imaging

“…A study of 2155 pleural fluid samples from 1584 patients, of which nearly 25% were of malignant origin, examined the plateau phase of a graph of threshold volumes in order to define the minimum amount required for diagnostic purposes. 51 It was determined to be at least 25 mL, but more than 50 mL did not improve sensitivity for the identification of malignancy.…”