Exudative Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the pleuroscopic and closed pleural biopsy by Abramsneedle in terms of diagnostic yield and obtaining specific diagnosis in cases of exudative pleuraleffusion. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Period: August 2014 to February 2015. Setting:Department of Thoracic Medicine Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center Karachi. Methodology:All patients with pleural effusion who were admitted and fulfilling the inclusion criteria wereincluded in the study .Closed pleural biopsy using Abrams needle followed by pleuroscopy witha flexible pleuroscope was performed from the same incision, in the same sitting. The sampleswere sent for histopathology. To control bias samples were coded as A and B and the codewas not known to the histopathologist. Results: Among 60 patients, Mean age was 42.85 yearswith ±18.2 standard deviation and male to female ratio was 1.6 :1. Specific diagnosis throughpleuroscopic biopsy had shown 27 (45%) cases of tuberculosis, 25 (41.7%) of adenocarcinoma,5 (8.3%) of chronic non specific inflammation, one (1.7%) case of lymphoma and 2 (3.3%)cases could not be reached for any diagnosis. Conclusion: Pleuroscopy has better yield thanthe Abrams needle biopsy in terms of both diagnostic yield and specific diagnosis