Evolution of Idiopathic Pleural Effusion

Ferrer, Jaume; Muñoz, Xavier; Orriols, Ramón; Light, Richard W.; Morell, Ferrán

doi:10.1378/chest.109.6.1508

Cited by 112 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This corresponds with the data of Ferrer et al where 5 out of 40 patients (12.5%) had a recurrence of the effusion after an initial resolution [9]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Our finding of an 8.3% risk of an ultimate diagnosis of malignancy compares with the data of Ferrer et al (5%) [9], but contrasts with those of others (22.7% [7]and 25.5% [10]). These differences remain unexplained, but may be related to a history of asbestos exposure.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 80%

“…In 12 patients (86%), the ultimate diagnosis of idiopathic pleuritis was still valid after the follow-up since no cause became apparent. These 86% are comparable with the 80% of idiopathic pleuritis patients in which Ferrer et al [9]did not find a potential cause during follow-up.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…However, there is no correlation between the observations of Ryan et al [10](60.8%) and Ferrer et al [9](80%). The reason for the discrepancy with the study by Ferrer et al [9]is that patients in whom medical history suggested a cause for the effusion were excluded, in contrast to our study. Ryan et al [10]studied the evolution of patients after thoracotomy, not after thoracoscopy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…One prospective long-term follow-up study of 40 patients with idiopathic pleural effusions has been published by Ferrer et al [9]in 1996. In 32 patients (80%), no probable cause of the effusion was detected during a mean follow-up of 62 months.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Does ‘Idiopathic Pleuritis’ Exist? Natural History of Non-Specific Pleuritis Diagnosed after Thoracoscopy

2005

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Background: Even after a complete work-up including thoracoscopic biopsies, a significant number of patients with pleural exudates are diagnosed with ‘non-specific pleuritis’, and no specific diagnosis can be made. The natural evolution of these patients is poorly understood. Objectives: To study the natural evolution of patients with non-specific pleuritis diagnosed after thoracoscopy and to evaluate whether the histological diagnosis of non-specific pleuritis corresponds with the clinical diagnosis of ‘idiopathic pleuritis’. Methods: We retrospectively studied the evolution of 75 patients between 1992 and 2002 (49 men and 26 women), mean (± SD) age 63.4 (± 13.3) years, who underwent diagnostic thoracoscopy because of an unexplained exudative pleural effusion, and in whom the histological diagnosis of non-specific pleuritis was made. Follow-up data were obtained through medical files and/or telephone contacts with general practitioners. Results: Of these 75 patients, 8.3% eventually developed a malignancy during the follow-up period. In the remaining patients (91.7%), the clinical evolution followed a benign course. Ultimately, a probable cause was established on clinical grounds in 40 patients. True idiopathic pleuritis was finally observed in 25% of patients with the histological diagnosis of non-specific pleuritis. Recurrence of the effusion occurred in 10 out of 60 (16.7%) patients, after a mean period of 26.2 months. Conclusions: The majority of non-specific pleuritis patients (91.7%) followed a benign course, with a spontaneous resolution of the effusion in 81.8% of cases. In the majority of patients, a probable cause of the pleuritis was identified. True ‘idiopathic benign pleuritis’ hence occurs in only a minority (25%) of patients.

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“…This corresponds with the data of Ferrer et al where 5 out of 40 patients (12.5%) had a recurrence of the effusion after an initial resolution [9]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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