ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the value of flexi-rigid thoracoscopy in pleural effusion of unknown causes and the correlation with CEA, TK1 and ADA. Methods The clinical data and results of CEA, TK1 and ADA of 25 patients were retrospective analyzed in our department from 2015 January to November 2015. These patients accepted the examination of flexi-rigid thoracoscopy with pleural effusion of unknown causes. Results In the 25 patients with pleural effusion of unknown causes, definite diagnosis was made in 22 cases (88.00 %), of which 9 cases were malignant pleural effusion (36.00 %), 11 cases were tuberculous pleural effusion (44.00 %), 2 cases were inflammatory pleural effusion (8.00 %), 3 cases were undetermined (12.00 %). The positive rate of TK1 and CEA in malignant group was significantly higher than that in the tuberculosis group and inflammatory group, the positive rate of ADA in the tuberculosis group was significantly higher than that in the malignant group and inflammatory group. Conclusion Flexi-rigid medical thoracoscopy examination is an effective and safe method for diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusion with high exact diagnosis rate, less trauma and less complication. Combination with CEA, TK1 and ADA are helpful to improve diagnostic rate of pleural effusion of unknown causes.