Biomaterial Database

The role of thoracoscopy in the evaluation and management of pleural effusions. 1990

C Boutin, and P Astoul, and B Seitz

Hôpital la Conception, Marseille, France.

Diagnostic thoracoscopy is indicated in every patient where the usual investigations (including biochemistry, cytology, bacteriology, occasionally needle biopsy of the pleura) do not achieve a precise diagnosis. The percentage of so-called "idiopathic" effusions, amounting to approximately 20% in many published series, can be reduced to 4% after thoracoscopy. The sensibility of thoracoscopic biopsy reaches 93-97% of malignant or tuberculous pleural effusions. The procedure requires a short hospitalization of about 36 hr, and complications are rare. Therapeutic thoracoscopy is frequently performed in chronic, malignant, recurrent effusions in order to achieve a pleurodesis by means of a talc poudrage under visual control. The efficacy of the poudrage in the published randomized studies is better than tetracycline. About 90% of patients are cured, the effusion being totally suppressed. Side effects are rare if the quantity of talc does not exceed 10 ml.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010994	Pleura	The thin serous membrane enveloping the lungs (LUNG) and lining the THORACIC CAVITY. Pleura consist of two layers, the inner visceral pleura lying next to the pulmonary parenchyma and the outer parietal pleura. Between the two layers is the PLEURAL CAVITY which contains a thin film of liquid.	Parietal Pleura,Visceral Pleura,Pleura, Parietal,Pleura, Visceral
D010996	Pleural Effusion	Presence of fluid in the pleural cavity resulting from excessive transudation or exudation from the pleural surfaces. It is a sign of disease and not a diagnosis in itself.	Effusion, Pleural,Effusions, Pleural,Pleural Effusions
D010997	Pleural Neoplasms	Neoplasms of the thin serous membrane that envelopes the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. Pleural neoplasms are exceedingly rare and are usually not diagnosed until they are advanced because in the early stages they produce no symptoms.	Neoplasms, Pleural,Neoplasm, Pleural,Pleural Neoplasm
D010998	Pleurisy	INFLAMMATION of PLEURA, the lining of the LUNG. When PARIETAL PLEURA is involved, there is pleuritic CHEST PAIN.	Pleuritis,Pleurisies,Pleuritides
D003937	Diagnosis, Differential	Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures.	Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013906	Thoracoscopy	Endoscopic examination, therapy or surgery of the pleural cavity.	Endoscopy, Pleural,Pleural Endoscopy,Pleuroscopy,Surgical Procedures, Thoracoscopic,Thoracoscopic Surgical Procedures,Surgery, Thoracoscopic,Thoracoscopic Surgery,Endoscopies, Pleural,Pleural Endoscopies,Pleuroscopies,Surgeries, Thoracoscopic,Surgical Procedure, Thoracoscopic,Thoracoscopic Surgeries,Thoracoscopic Surgical Procedure,Thoracoscopies
D014396	Tuberculosis, Pleural	Tuberculosis of the serous membrane lining the thoracic cavity and surrounding the lungs.	Pleurisy, Tuberculous,Pleural Tuberculoses,Pleural Tuberculosis,Pleurisies, Tuberculous,Tuberculoses, Pleural,Tuberculous Pleurisies,Tuberculous Pleurisy