Aetiology of exudative pleural effusion in district D. I. Khan

ABSTRACT

Pleural effusion is commonly seen in the clinical practice. A larger number of diseases can cause it. Its causes are variable in different communities. Transudative effusions pose little diagnostic difficulty as compared to the exudative ones. In this study we investigated the aetiology of exudative pleural effusion in adult patients in our setup. It is a cross-sectional study. From January 1st to June 30 th, 2002 we studied adult patients presenting to Medical unit DHQ Teaching Hospital D. I. Khan, Pakistan, having a pleural effusion confirmed by chest radiographs. Patients having clinical and/or laboratory evidence of transudative pleural effusion were excluded from the study. A detailed history and through clinical examination was recorded. Routine investigations were performed. Thoracocentesis and pleural fluid analysis were performed in all patients. Pleural biopsy was taken in patients with exudative pleural effusion. Other investigations were performed according to the clinical indication. Fifty patients with pleural effusion were studied. Out of these, 22 had exudative pleural effusion. Further investigations revealed that 15/22 [68.18%] had tuberculosis, 3/22 [13.63%] had neoplasia, 2/22 [9.09%] had amoebic infection, 1/22 [4.54%] had para-pneumonia and 1/22 [4.54%] had ampyema thoracic. We conclude that of the exudative pleural effusion in this region is mainly due to tuberculosis. Neoplasia is the second common cause in adult population. Amoebiasis should be considered in right sided pleural effusions