Childhood pleural diseases: diagnostic correlations

ABSTRACT

This study was done on 25 patients with pleural effusion. They were 18 males and 7 females, their ages ranged from 4 months to 12 years. 80% of the patients were below five years. All patients were examined carefully and fully investigated. Thoracocentesis with cytological and biochemical studies of pleural aspirate were made to every patient. Culture and sensitivity of pleural aspirate were also done. Radiological examination showed that the effusion was right sided in 40%, left sided in 32% and bilateral in 28% of patients. On the basis of cytological and biochemical examination of the pleural aspirate, it was empyema in 68% complicating pneumonia in most of the cases, lung abscess and immunodeficiency as well. 12% of the patients were suffering from hydrothorax as a part of generalized edema. Hemothorax was present in 8% of the cases as a result of metastatic tumor. Tuberculosis and systemic lupus erythematosus were the causes of inflammatory exudate in two patients. Chylothorax was present in one case as a result of injury of the thoracic duct during cardiac surgery. The causes of pleural effusion could be minimized by proper management of pneumonia as it is the leading cause of pleurisy in the pediatric age group. Thoracocentesis should be done to every case with pleural effusion for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes: