Medical Thoracoscopy: Diagnostic Role in the Management of Undiagnosed Pleural Effusions and its Complications

Introduction: Cases of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions are common in clinical practice and pose a diagnostic challenge for pulmonologists. Medical thoracoscopy allows both direct visualizations of pleural space for diagnostic evaluation and chemical pleurodesis for therapeutic purposes. Objectives: This study investigated the diagnostic role of medical thoracoscopy in the cases of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions and complications of thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. Patients and methods: Between December 2016 and August 2019, 195 patients of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions underwent medical thoracoscopy in our institute. Pleural biopsies were taken and sent for histopathological and microbiological examination. Results: The diagnostic yield of medical thoracoscopy in this study was 89.7%. Definite diagnosis was achieved in 175 out of 195 patients of the study population and only 20 (10.3%) patients were failed to be diagnosed by medical thoracoscopy. Histopathological results of thoracoscopic pleural biopsy among the study population revealed tubercular pleuritis in 31.79% (62 patients), metastatic adenocarcinoma in 23.07% (45 patients), malignant mesothelioma in 18.46% (36 patients), parapneumonic effusions in 6.66% (13 patients), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in 5.64% (11 patients), small cell carcinoma in 3.07% (6 patients), malignant lymphoma in 0.51% (1 patient), and rheumatoid pleuritis in 0.51% (1 patient). Only 19.4% (38 patients) had minor complications like pain, minor bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, and re-expansion pulmonary edema. Conclusion: Thoracoscopy is a safe, well-tolerated procedure with minimal risk allowing the accurate diagnosis of undiagnosed pleural effusion. Besides determining the underlying cause, it also provides unique therapeutic approaches like pleurodesis to patients with malignant pleural effusions.

Synovial cell sarcoma of the pleura: an uncommon cause of a haemorrhagic pleural effusion

Soft tissue tumors account for a small percentage of malignancies and synovial sarcomas account for 10% of soft tissue tumors in our body, among them are the synovial sarcomas (SS).These arise from various sites and are of mesenchymal origin, Primary pleural synovial sarcomas are very rare tumours and account for not more than 0.5% of lung malignancies, they are being diagnosed mainly by the immunohistochemistry and classical cytogentic translocation t(x;18). This tumor has no sex preference and is commonly seen in the age group of 30-45.Our case is of a elderly male with massive pleural effusion who was diagnosed as having biphasic variant of synovial sarcoma of pleura by the help of immunohistochemistry. Treatment is mainly surgical resection and chemotherapy with ifosfamide/ adriamycin or radiotherapy. It must be considered as differential for biopsy proven malignant mesothelioma and hence immunohistochemistry should be must for all biopsy proven mesotheliomas.

Comparison between Diagnostic Yield of Pleural Fluid ELISPOT and Thoracoscopic Guided Pleural Biopsy in Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Context: Despite recent advances in the available diagnostic modalities, diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis remains a challenge because of the low yield of conventional methods. Pleural biopsy is the gold standard for confirmation of diagnosis, which is invasive and cumbersome. The concentration of mycobacterial peptide-specific activated lymphocytes at the site of infection can be utilized as the basis for using IGRA (interferon-gamma release assays) based evaluation of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions.  Aim: To evaluate the performance of IGRA (Enzyme-linked Immunospot (ELISPOT) in pleural fluid for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis in histopathologically confirmed cases. Settings and Design: A prospective observational study compared the utility of ELISPOT with thoracoscopy guided pleural biopsies for the diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusions. Methods and Material: Forty-two consecutive cases of undiagnosed pleural effusions were enrolled and subjected to thoracoscopy guided pleural biopsy. Thirteen patients were confirmed to have tuberculosis, 27 had malignancy, and 2 had normal pleura. A total of 1x103 pleural fluid mononuclear cells (PFMCs) were cultured in the presence of early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) for 24 hours. The individual spots were then counted using an automated analyzer ELISPOT reader system.  Results: The number of spots developed in the pleural fluid was significantly higher in tubercular pleural effusions as compared to non-tubercular effusions (CFP-10:154.76±14.61 vs 49.24±8.9; ESAT-6: 150.3±17.27 v/s 45.34±8.23, p<0.001). At a cut-off value of more than 67 spots taken as positive for tuberculosis, the sensitivity of the test was 100% (95% CI 75.29% to 100.00%), specificity was 96.5% (95 % CI 82.24% to 99.91%), positive predictive value was 92.86% (95 % CI 65.45% to 98.89%) and negative predictive value was 100%.  Conclusions: ELISPOT can be a useful non-invasive test for the evaluation of undiagnosed pleural effusions and making a diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis with confidence.

Efficacy of early thoracoscopic debridement for syn-pneumonic pleural effusions in pediatric age group

Background: Pleural effusion can be treated by antibiotics alone but thoracoscopy assisted debridement has proved superior to antibiotics alone. There is need to study this aspect in more details related to the superiority of the treatment. The objective was to study efficacy of early thoracoscopic debridement for syn-pneumonic pleural effusions in pediatric age group.Methods: A hospital based follow up study was carried out among 40 children of 1-7years of age. They were divided into two groups. One group with 15 children received only antibiotics while the other group with 25 children received thoracoscopic debridement. The results were compared in terms of hospital stay and clinical outcome.Results: It was found that the hospital stay was significantly shorter in children who received thoracoscopic debridement compared to antibiotic group. The chest X-ray was normal in all cases who received thoracoscopic debridement compared to antibiotic group. Decortications were required in five children in antibiotic group compared to none who received thoracoscopic debridement. There was no morbidity and mortality in the children received thoracoscopic debridement. Clinical and symptomatic relief was much better in children received thoracoscopic debridement compared to antibiotic group where there was persistence of the symptoms.Conclusions: Thoracoscopy done in 3days of syn-pneumonic effusions give better out come in terms of hospital stay, morbidity, radiological resolution, compared to thoracocentesis done cases.

Clinical analysis of 50 cases of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

To analyze the clinical characteristics of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis, so as to improve the physician’s ability of the clinical diagnosis and treatment.The clinical data of 50 cases of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis diagnosed in a hospital in recent 3 years were collected and retrospectively analyzed.Among the 50 patients, there were 35 males and 15 females, and 35 children and 15 adults. Eighteen patients had a clear history of exposure to the foci. Among the children, the respiratory symptoms accounted for 68.6% (24/35), gastrointestinal symptoms for 22.9% (8/35), and no apparent symptoms for 8.6% (3/35); among the adults, the respiratory symptoms accounted for 93.3% (14/15) and the abdominal distention for 6.7% (1/15). The paragonimus antibody was positive in all the patients. The chest radiography or CT showed pulmonary inflammatory exudation and serous cavity effusion. Eosinophilia in blood was found in 25 cases, a large number of eosinophils in serous cavity effusion were found under microscopy in 12 cases, and eosinophil infiltration of pleura was found in 7 cases. All were cured after the patients received chemotherapy (praziquantel) and drainage fluid.The clinical manifestations of paragonimiasis are not very specific and paragonimiasis is often accompanied with serous cavity effusions. Clinically, paragonimiasis is easily misdiagnosed as tuberculosis or cancer. We should consider about the possibility of paragonimiasis when eosinophil is high in blood, serous cavity effusion and pleura.

Recombinant Mutant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor versus Pleural Perfusion of Cisplatin in the Treatment of Malignant Pleural Effusions:a Systematic Review / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To systematically evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety of recombinant mutant human tumor necrosis factor(rmhTNF)versus pleural perfusion of cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions,and to provide evidence-based reference in clinic. METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CJFD,Wanfang database,VIP and CBM,RCTs about rmhTNF(trial group)vs. cisplatin(control group)in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions were included. Meta-analysis was conducted by using Rev Man 5.3 statistical software after quality evaluation and data extraction with Cochrane system evaluator manual 5.3.0. RESULTS:A total of 7 RCTs were included,involving 478 patients. Meta-analysis showed that clinical total response rate of trial group [RR=1.43,95%CI(1.27,1.62),P<0.001] was significantly higher than that of control group,with statistical significance. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction[RR=1.15,95%CI(0.73,1.80),P=0.55],chest pain[RR=1.12,95%CI(0.73,1.73),P=0.60],fever[RR=0.62,95%CI(0.35,1.08),P=0.09] and myelosuppression[OR=0.94,95%CI(0.57,1.54),P=0.79] between trial group and control group. CONCLUSIONS:Pleural perfusion of rmhTNF is significantly better than cisplatin in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions. The incidences of gastrointestinal reaction,chest pain,fever and myelosuppression induced by rmhTNF were similar to those induced by cisplatin.

Short-term Therapeutic Effect of Recombinant Human Endostatin Combined with Cis-platinum on Malignant Pleural Effusions: A Meta-analysis / 医药导报

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human endostatin (rh-endostatin) combined with cis-platinum for patients with malignant pleural effusions.Methods A computer-based online search was performed through Elsevier, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese BioMedical Literature Database and Wanfang Database.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the randomized controlled trials about short-term therapeutic effect of rh-endostatin combined with cis-platinum on malignant pleural effusions published until December 2015 were selected.Quality of the studies was assessed using modified Jadad scale.After data extraction, a Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software.Relative risk (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.The Egger test was performed by Stata 12.0 software.Results Fourteen eligible randomized controlled trials were included in this Meta-analysis involving 1 330 patients,665 in cis-platinum alone group(control group), and 665 in rh-endostatin combined with cis-platinum group(treatment group).The results showed that there were significant improvements in overall response rate (ORR) [73.53% vs 45.41%,RR=1.62,95%CI(1.47,1.78),P<0.000 01] and the rate of quality of life improvement [71.65% vs 46.94%,RR=1.52,95%CI(1.38,1.68),P<0.000 01] in the treatment group, as compared with those of the control group.Meanwhile, there were no statistically significant differences in the rate of cardio toxicity [10.38% vs 5.77%,RR=1.73,95%CI(0.99,3.03),P=0.06].Conclusion This Meta-analysis indicated that in comparison with cis-platinum alone, rh-endostatin combined with cis-platinum has a better therapeutic effect on malignant pleural effusions.

Caracterización de la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad / Characterization of community-acquired severe pneumonia

INTRODUCCIÓN: las infecciones respiratorias agudas, sobre todo las neumonías, son uno de los principales problemas de salud en los niños menores de 5 años de edad en los países en desarrollo. OBJETIVO: caracterizar la neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad en el servicio de Neumología. MÉTODOS: se realizó un trabajo prospectivo descriptivo, de corte transversal. Se seleccionaron los pacientes que ingresaron en el servicio de Neumología, con una neumonía grave adquirida en la comunidad, procedentes de la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva o del Cuerpo de Guardia, desde diciembre de 2005 a diciembre de 2010. Se incluyeron 187 pacientes con aparente salud anterior, seguidos por consulta al egreso hasta su alta médica. Se practicó un análisis descriptivo de las variables clínicas, radiológicas y de tratamiento. RESULTADOS: de 187 pacientes el 76,4 % eran menores de 5 años, y el 53,5 % femeninos. El factor de riesgo más frecuente fue la no lactancia materna exclusiva (91,6 %) en el grupo de edad de 1-4 años. La fiebre, la polipnea y el tiraje estuvieron presentes en la mayoría de ellos. El pulmón derecho fue el más afectado en el 57,7 %, pero se registró mayor cifra de complicaciones en el izquierdo (58,2%). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: el derrame pleural y el absceso pulmonar en 40,6 y 10,2 %, respectivamente. El tratamiento con penicilina cristalina sola se usó en el 36,3 % de los pacientes, y se logró una buena evolución clínica, sin hacer cambios terapéuticos. CONCLUSIONES: los pacientes en su totalidad evolucionan de forma favorable con los esquemas de antibióticos utilizados.

INTRODUCTION: acute respiratory infections, mainly pneumonias, are the main health problems in children aged under 5 years in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: to characterize the community-acquired severe pneumonia in the pneumonia management service. METHODS: a prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. There were selected those patients who were admitted to the pneumonia management service with community-acquired severe pneumonia and had been referred from the intensive care unit or the emergency service in the period of December 2005 to December 2010. One hundred and eighty seven patients in apparent healthy condition before the disease, who had been followed-up from the time of discharge from the hospital until their final medical discharge, were included in the research. A descriptive analysis of the clinical, radiological and therapeutic variables was made. RESULTS: of 187 patients, 76.4 % were aged under 5 years, 53.5 % were females. The most common risk factor was non-exclusive breastfeeding (91.6 %) in the 1-4 year age group. Fever, polypnea and tirage were present in most of them. The right lung was the most affected in 57.7 % of cases, but the left lung provided the highest number of complications (58.2 %). The most common complications were pleural effusion and the pulmonary abscess in 40.6 % and 10.2 %, respectively. The single crystalline penicillin treatment was used in 36.7 % of patients with good clinical progression with no further therapeutic changes. CONCLUSIONS: all the patients has favorable recovery with the antibiotic treatments used.

Efficacy of drainage of pleural effusion using small bore pleural catheter and conventional thoracostomy using large bore chest tube: a comparative study.

Background: Pleural effusions commonly occur in patients with advanced cancer and tuberculosis. Pleural aspiration by the conventional tube thoracostomy using large bore chest tube-intercostal drain (ICD) - can often cause discomfort to patients. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of drainage of pleural effusions using flexible small bore Pleural Catheter (PC) and ICD. Methods: In this prospective study, 101 patients (age 16-65 years) with pleural effusions were divided into PC (n=60) and ICD (n=41) groups. Responses were evaluated and analyzed statistically. Results: The PC group was equally efficacious as ICD with regard to complete re-expansion of lung. The most common complication in the PC group was block (9/60 i.e. 15%). Difference in the mean number of days on drain in the PC (4.9 days) and ICD group (5.8 days) as well as the mean number of times analgesics administered in the PC (2.85 days) and the ICD group (7.53 days) were statistically significant (p <0.05). Similarly, the complications such as surgical emphysema, haemorrhage, desaturation and hypotension were high in the conventional group when compared to that of PC group (p <0.05). Conclusions: Flexible small bore intercostal catheter is a valid and safe option for drainage of pleural effusion when compared to the conventional tube thoracostomy.

Cytological Evaluation And Significance Of Cell Cannibalism In Effusions And Urine Cytology

Cell cannibalism is believed to be an indicator of high-grade aggressive cancers with increased metastatic potential. It denotes both anaplastic grade and invasiveness and is valuable in assessing tumor behavior. The present study was a 2-year retrospective and 1-year prospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Jammu. PAP and MGG stained smears of effusions and urinary cytology were evaluated for cannibalism. Cannibalism was assessed by parameters like cellularity of cannibalism, diameter of cannibalistic cells, chromatin pattern and background of the smears. Of 350 cases evaluated, 260 (74.2%) were benign and 90 (25.8%) were malignant. Cannibalism was absent in all benign cases. Cannibalism was present in 14 ascitic fluids, 7 pleural fluids, 1 pericardial fluid and 3 cases of urine cytology. Comparison of distribution of cannibalism in effusions and urine did not yield statistically significant result (X2 = 0.8678 and p >0.05). Comparison of other parameters between effusions and urine samples also did not yield significant results. We conclude that cytological parameters of cellular cannibalism are better observed in malignant effusions than in urine cytology but did not reach statistical significance. Cannibalism can be assessed morphologically in malignant body fluids and is an indicator of increased tumour growth.

Review of Elemene Injection in Treating Malignant Pleural Effusions and Ascites / 中国中医药信息杂志

Malignant pleural effusions and ascites are common complications in various cancers, which are difficulties in clinical treatment. Elemene injection, with the main ingredient ofβ-elemene, extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Curcumae Rhizoma, has broad-spectrum antitumor activity by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in several types of solid tumor cells. This article reviewed the clinical experience of Chinese scholars in treating malignant pleural effusions and ascites with elemene injection.

Report a case of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia with fetal pleural effusions / 临床儿科杂志

ObjectiveTo summarize and review the clinical characteristics of congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia with fetal bilateral pleural effusions.MethodsThe clinical data of a newborn diagnosed as congenital pulmonary lymphangiec-tasia with bilateral pleural effusions in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, was summarized. The clinical, radiographic features, treatment and prognosis of this case are discussed in the context of the literature review.ResultsThe premature infants present-ed with rapid progression bilateral pleural effusions, respiratory distress, chylothorax, hypoalbuminemia and persistent pulmo-nary hypertension at birth. The pulmonary surfactant was given and mechanical ventilation was used for respiratory support. NO was inhaled, high-frequency mechanical ventilation was applied and albumin was repeatedly administered. After treatment for 3 months in the NICU, the patient was discharged. After 10 days, the patient was administered to the PICU with severe pneumo-nia, chronic lung disease, mechanical ventilation and anti-infection treatments were applied for 2 months. After living for six months, the baby died.ConclusionsCongenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is extremely rare and prenatal diagnosis was dif-ifcult. The disease should be considered in patients presented with progressive dyspnea, interstitial emphysema after birth. Lung tissue biopsy and radioisotope scanning should be performed in time to get diagnosis.

Tratamiento paliativo de los derrames pleurales malignos mediante abrasión química / Palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions with chemical abrasion

Introducción: el tratamiento del derrame pleural maligno constituye un reto para los cirujanos. Su erradicación permanente ha constituido un largo bregar, y para ello se ha utilizado un numeroso grupo de sustancias. Objetivo: mostrar los resultados del uso de diferentes sustancias químicas para conseguir la fusión de las pleuras en el derrame pleural maligno. Métodos: fueron estudiados 116 pacientes con derrames malignos de pleura tratados mediante toracocentesis y escleroterapia química en el Hospital Universitario Comandante Manuel Fajardo entre enero de 2001 y el 2013. El diagnóstico del 100 por ciento de los pacientes fue clínico e imaginológico, con estudio del líquido pleural. Después de la toma de muestra se evacuó todo el contenido mediante un catéter colector y la instilación de la solución esclerosante. Como agentes irritantes se utilizó bleomicina, tetraciclina, amoxicilina y povidona yodada. Resultados: la causa más frecuente de derrame pleural resultó ser el cáncer de mama, seguido por el de pulmón y el ovario. En el hombre fue más frecuente el cáncer de pulmón y en la mujer el cáncer de mama. Predominó el sexo femenino y, específicamente, la sexta década de la vida. El 52,4 por ciento de los pacientes necesitó dos sesiones terapéuticas y el 15,6 por ciento no presentó recidiva después de la primera sesión. Conclusiones: los resultados fueron similares con todas las sustancias utilizadas. La intervención paliativa logró mejorar la calidad de vida al aliviar los síntomas de los pacientes y disminuir la hospitalización(AU)

Introduction: the treatment of the malignant pleural effusion poses a challenge for the surgeons, its permanent eradication has been a long struggle based on the use of a number of substances. Objective: To show the results of the use of different chemical substances to fuse the pleuras in malignant pleural effusion. Methods: one hundred and sixteen patients with malignant pleural effusions, who were treated with thoracentesis and chemical sclerotherapy at Comandante Manuel Fajardo university hospital from January 2001 through January 2013, participated in the study. Their diagnosis was based on clinical examination and imaging, with additional pleural fluid study. After the sample-taking, a collecting catheter and an instilled sclerosing solution were used to remove the whole pleural content, whereas bleomycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin and povidone iodine acted as irritating agents. Results: the most frequent cause of pleural effusion was breast cancer, followed by lung and ovary cancers. The lung cancer was commonest in men and breast cancer in females. Females and the age of 60 years prevailed. In this group, 52.4 por ciento required two therapeutic sessions and 15.6 por ciento showed no relapse after the first session. Conclusions: the results were similar with all the used substances. The palliative intervention succeeded in improving the quality of life, releasing symptoms and reducing hospitalization(AU)

Pleural diseases in the middle east: a 2013 review.

Pleural pathologies in the Middle East are diverse and evolving partly due to steady immigration and increasing industrialization. Data about pleural diseases in the Middle East is relatively scarce. We are not aware of any review on this topic in current medical literature. This article aims at fulfilling this specific task. In this paper, we are reviewing selected English-written articles and publications in this field, from 1992 to 2011, using MEDLINE. Materials focusing on prevalence, etiologic factors, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic interventions were included. In this review, we are categorizing pleural pathologies in five distinct sections: tuberculous effusions, parapneumonic ones, malignancies, transudative effusions, and a fifth category of miscellaneous conditions.

A Case of Pneumomediastinum and Parapneumonic Effusions Following Pharyngeal Perforation Caused by Shouting

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disorder, and usually affects young men and has a benign course. Common triggers are asthma, the smoking of illicit drugs, the Valsalva maneuver, and respiratory infections. Most cases are usually due to alveolar rupture into the pulmonary interstitium caused by excess pressure. The air dissects to the hilum along the peribronchovascular sheaths and spreads into the mediastinum. However, pneumomediastinum following pharyngeal perforation is very rare, and has only been reported in relation to dental procedures, head and neck surgery, or trauma. We report a case of pneumomediastinum that developed in a 43-year-old patient with pharyngeal perforation after shouting. His course was complicated by mediastinitis and parapneumonic effusions.

Cytomorphological analyses of malignant lymphomas in serous effusions / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To study the effect of cytomorphological analyses of malignant lymphomas in serous effusions .Methods Aspirating serous effusion were analyzed immediately ,then centrifugated ,stained with Wright-Giemsa ,and observed under micro-scope .The cytomorphological characteristics of lymphomas in serous effusions was analysed .Results 62 cases of malignant lym-phomas were found in 1 440 cases of the serous effusion .The diagnosis efficiencies of lymphomas were 89 .55% for sensitivity , 99 .85% for specificity ,96 .77% for positive expectant value ,99 .49% for negative expectant value and 99 .38% for total effective rate .Lymphoma cells were watched more in pleural effusion(46 cases) than in ascites(18 cases) and pericardial effusion(3 cases) . Cytomorphology of lymphomas included vacuoles ,large cells ,small cells and irregular cells .Conclusion The cytomorphological analysis of malignant lymphomas in serous effusion has an instructive significance to the clinical auxiliary diagnosis .

Bilateral Pleural Effusion Complicating Umbilical Venous Catheterization.

Background: Umbilical venous lines are sometimes complicated with pleural and or pericardial effusion, often due to line migration. Case Characteristics: Bilateral chylous pleural effusion without pericardial effusion in a 28 weeks, extremely low birth infant who was on total parenteral nutrition. Observations/Investigations: Investigations including chest x ray and 2D echocardiogram showed bilateral chylous pleural effusions but appropriate tip position of the umbilical venous line. Outcome: Removal of the umbilical venous line and cessation of total parenteral nutrition resulted in complete resolution of the pleural effusion. Message: In any newborn with central venous catheter in situ, acute deteriorations specially, those related to pleural and pericardial effusions should alert the clinicians to remove the catheter and should not be misguided by apparently appearing normal correct catheter position by x-ray or 2D echocardiogram.

Cytological Study of Effusions.

Background: Effusion fluid analysis plays an important role in clinical medicine. Clinicians rely on the reports of effusion fluids and use them as complement to their clinical assessment for the diagnosis and management. Aim: To study the incidence of neoplastic and non neoplastic effusions. Objectives: i) To study the gross and microscopic features of effusions; ii) To study the pattern of effusions in various neoplastic and non neoplastic conditions. Material and Method: 550 specimens of pleural, peritoneal and pericardial fluid were studied. Fluid samples were centrifuged for five minutes at 2000 rpm and smears prepared from deposit were stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H and E), Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains (Pap). Result: Out of 550, 315 were pleural effusions, 234 peritoneal and one was pericardial. Out of total 315 cases of pleural effusions, 297 were non neoplastic and 18 were neoplastic effusion. Out of total 234 peritoneal effusions 214 were non neoplastic and 20 neoplatic. Commonest malignancy in pleural and peritoneal fluid was adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Pleural effusion was the commonest fluid in this study. Exudates were predominant in pleural effusion and transudates were predominant in peritoneal effusion. Common causes of exudates in pleural effusion were tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia and malignancy. Common causes of transudates in peritoneal effusion were liver cirrhosis and congestive cardiac failure (CCF). Adenocarcinoma was the commonest malignancy in both pleural and peritoneal effusion (30 cases).

Ultrasonido de tórax en ninos / Ultrasound of the pediatric’s chest

Ultrasound is an alternative technique for the examination of the chest. Recently chest ultrasound has expanded its use mainly on the study of pediatric patients, since it does not use radiation and it is considered by some authors as the first line test in the evaluation of some specific conditions like: superficial lumps and bumps of the chest wall, diaphragm motility, thymus characterization and pleural effusions. The purpose of this paper is to review the main indications for pediatric chest ultrasound in non-cardiac diseases.

El ultrasonido es un examen complementario en el estudio por imágenes del tórax. En los últimos tiempos se ha ampliado su utilización especialmente en el estudio del tórax pediátrico ya que es una alternativa de imagen que no usa radiación y por otra parte, es considerado por algunos autores como el examen de primera línea en la evaluación de algunas patologías específicas como: aumento de volumen superficial de la pared torácica, movimiento diafragmático, timo y derrame pleural. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar las principales indicaciones en el estudio del tórax pediátrico por ultrasonido en patología no cardiológica.

Pericardial Effusion and Pericardiocentesis: Role of Echocardiography

Pericardial effusion can develop from any pericardial disease, including pericarditis and several systemic disorders, such as malignancies, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic renal failure, thyroid diseases, and autoimmune diseases. The causes of large pericardial effusion requiring invasive pericardiocentesis may vary according to the time, country, and hospital. Transthoracic echocardiography is the most important tool for diagnosis, grading, the pericardiocentesis procedure, and follow up of pericardial effusion. Cardiac tamponade is a kind of cardiogenic shock and medical emergency. Clinicians should understand the tamponade physiology, especially because it can develop without large pericardial effusion. In addition, clinicians should correlate the echocardiographic findings of tamponade, such as right ventricular collapse, right atrial collapse, and respiratory variation of mitral and tricuspid flow, with clinical signs of clinical tamponade, such as hypotension or pulsus paradoxus. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis has been the most useful procedure in many cases of large pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, or pericardial effusion of unknown etiology. The procedure should be performed with the guidance of echocardiography.