Abstract
Introduction: Pleural effusion (PE) refers to the excessive or abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. PE is commonly encountered medical problem and caused by a variety of underlying pathological conditions.1 They are classified broadly in to exudative and transudative effusion based on Light's criteria.2 Common causes of transudative effusions are congestive cardiac failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, superior venacava obstruction, peritoneal dialysis, glomerulonephritis, myxoedema, pulmonary emboli and sarcoidosis whereas exudative PE is caused by neoplastic diseases, infections, pulmonary embolism, gastrointestinal diseases, collagen vascular diseases, drug induced, iatrogenic, hemothorax and chylothorax. Materials and Methods: A total of 178 consecutive cases ≥ 18 years having pleural effusion with proven underlying malignancy were included in the study. Detailed clinical history, general and systemic examination was done in all patients. A chest radiograph was done and the size of effusion was estimated in all cases. If the size of effusion was more than 2/3rd, it was considered large/ massive effusion. After preliminary examination and investigations, an informed consent was taken from all the patients regarding diagnostic thoracentesis. Further, every study participant was subjected to following investigations: pleural fluid cytology, pleural fluid LDH, pleural fluid proteins, S. proteins and S. LDH.
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