ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of the various parameters in differentiating pleural exudates from transudates and its possible role in the diagnosis of the most common causes of pleural effusion. Pleural effusion from 60 patients [36 males and 24 females with a mean age of 45 +/- 10 years] including 18 transudates [9 congestive heart failure, 6 hepatic cirrhosis and 3 with renal failure] and 42 exudates was analyzed. The study concluded that the level of cholesterol in the PF can be closely predicted from the S cholesterol level. A much lower fraction of cholesterol in the PF than in the S is associated with LDL, this suggested that the LDLs undergo metabolic alterations once they enter the pleural space. The PF triglyceride levels are not closely related to either S triglycerides levels. Pleural fluid lipids can not different malignant from tuberculous effusion. P/S bilirubin ratio is a good parameter for distinguishing exudates from transudates, but it has a less sensitivity and accuracy than Light's criteria