Investigation Of Pleural Effusion Research Articles

NCMP-15. A CASE OF SYSTEMIC METASTATIC DIFFUSE LEPTOMENINGEAL GLIONEURAL TUMOR

Abstract INTRODUCTION Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneural tumor (DLGT) is a very rare central nervous tumor that has no standard of care for its treatment. This report illustrates a case of DLGT with a unique presentation and a first description of multiple systemic metastasis. Case: 19 year-old male with personal history of hereditary multiple osteochondromas and recent covid-19 infection who on investigation of headaches, progressive cranio-neuropathies, and right-sided weakness was found to have vasospasms resulting in acute infarcts in multiple vascular areas, and diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement in the thoracic spine and cauda equina. Patient underwent meningeal biopsy, after 2 months of first symptoms, which revealed DLGT per two different neuro-oncology centers. Course of disease was complicated with hydrocephalus needing shunt placement soon after diagnosis. Craniospinal radiation concurrent with temozolomide was started one month from diagnosis. Patient developed pancytopenia and chemotherapy was stop in the first weeks during radiation therapy. Metastatic disease to bone marrow was diagnosed in the second adjuvant temozolomide cycle through biopsy. One week after, on investigation of pleural effusion, lung metastasis were discovered on pleural cytology and thoracic computer tomography. Liquid biopsy showed non-actionable mutations on PIK3CA, BRAF and KRAS. Chemotherapy with carboplatin and vincristine was started with markedly improvement of pancytopenia and pleural effusions leading to cessation of frequent transfusions and auxiliary oxygen. Vincristine dose was decreased due to painful neuropathy and tinnitus. At the end of endovenous chemotherapy, worsening of disease was found with metastasis to muscles of the face and brain parenchyma. Patient was then enrolled in hospice, dying weeks after. CONCLUSION DLGT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vasospasm. DLGT is a primary central nervous system that can metastasize to other organs. Although no standard of care is yet identified, chemotherapy with vincristine and carboplatin can be offered to systemic metastatic disease.

VATS and open chest surgery in diagnosis and treatment of benign pleural diseases.

A negative pressure normally exists between the visceral and parietal pleurae in the lungs, which can act as vacuum for fluid, air and small particles from different parts of the body, allowing them to move into the pleural space and be retained in it, thus resulting to different manifestations of pleural disorders. A pleural effusion is the result of fluid collection between the parietal and visceral pleural surfaces. The most common cause in developed countries is congestive heart failure, followed by pneumonia and malignancy. It is highly important that a systematic approach is undertaken during the investigation of pleural effusions. Treatment should be based on the nature of the effusion and underlying condition, while undiagnosed patients should remain under surveillance. Pleural infection is a serious clinical condition which affects approximately 65,000 patients every year in the UK and can result in mortality in rates as high as 20%. The selection of treatment as well as timing of intervention remains a debatable issue among pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons. Surgical intervention aims to control sepsis, by facilitating evacuation of necrotic material from the pleural space, and obliterate the empyema cavity, by allowing the trapped lung to re-expand via peeling of the organised cortex from its visceral pleura. Thoracoscopic surgery offers the advantages of visual assessment of the pleural space and direct tissue sampling and it can be useful for the diagnosis of unknown pleural effusions and in the management of complicated collections. Open thoracotomy remains the gold standard, however with the advancement of thoracoscopic instruments and techniques, minimally invasive approaches provide comparable outcomes and have been taking over the management of benign pleural diseases.

Investigating a unilateral pleural effusion: A tale of a medical error and diagnostic delays.

We report the case of an elderly Asian man where a medical error and diagnostic delays obscured the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (TB). The patient was hospitalized for evaluation of a unilateral pleural effusion. Initially, the patient was subjected to a pleural aspiration on the wrong side due to a lack of bedside ultrasound guidance. Subsequently, the patient underwent several investigations but not a blind closed pleural biopsy (BCPB) due to a lack of equipment. Furthermore, the patient was deemed to be too sick to undergo a thoracoscopic pleural procedure. Eventually, a bronchoscopy was performed, and washings from the right upper lobe were cultured, which established the diagnosis of TB. This case highlights the need to use bedside ultrasound in the investigation of pleural effusions, the role of BCPB especially in frail patients and finally the utility of bronchoscopy in establishing a diagnosis of pleural TB.

Pleural controversies: image guided biopsy vs. thoracoscopy for undiagnosed pleural effusions?

Undiagnosed pleural effusions present an increasing diagnostic burden upon healthcare providers internationally. The investigation of pleural effusions often requires the acquisition of tissue for histological analysis and diagnosis. Historically there were two options for tissue biopsy: a 'gold standard' surgical biopsy or a "blind" closed pleural biopsy. Over the last decade however, image-guided Tru-cut biopsies and local anaesthetic thoracoscopic (local anaesthetic thoracoscopy) biopsies have become more widespread. Image-guided techniques acquire samples under ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) guidance whereas LAT involves the direct visualisation and biopsy of the pleura with pleuroscopy. Both techniques have been shown to be superior to 'blind' closed pleural biopsy for the diagnosis of pleural or metastatic malignancy. However, closed biopsy remains a viable method of investigation in areas of high incidence of tuberculosis (TB). Beyond this, each investigative technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. Image-guided biopsy is less invasive, usually carried out as an outpatient procedure, and enables tissue biopsy in frail patients and those with pleural thickening but no pleural fluid. Local anaesthetic thoracoscopy (LAT) provides diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in one procedure. Large volume thoracentesis, multiple pleural biopsies and talc poudrage can be carried out in a single procedure. The overall diagnostic yield is similar for both techniques, although there are no large-scale direct comparisons. Both techniques share low complication rates.

Coexistent Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Carcinoma Lung Diagnosed from the Same Clinical Specimen - A Case Report

The presence of both Tuberculosis and primary lung cancer in the same person is extremely rare phenomenon. Tuberculosis has been known to occur during the treatment of lung malignancy due to immunosuppression but the simultaneous demonstration of both etiologies in same biopsy during investigation of pleural effusion is extremely uncommon.

EComment. A pocket-sized imaging device during a minimally invasive pleural biopsy.

We read with great interest the innovative work by Lisi et al. regarding the value of a pocket-sized imaging device (PSID) for the bedside diagnosis of pleural effusions and ultrasound-guided thoracentesis [1]. We think that the use of PSIDs could be extended to minimally invasive pleural biopsies, if the diagnosis by simple thoracentesis is not sufficient. Apart from the standard methods of pleural biopsy, we have recently published a simple method of simultaneous chest tube drainage and minimally invasive pleural biopsy with the use of the mediastinoscope [2]. The technique is simple and is carried out under local anaesthesia. It is performed with the patient in either the supine or the lateral position. During the routine process of chest tube insertion, after the dissection of the intercostal muscles, a standard mediastinoscope is inserted to inspect the outer aspect of the adjacent parietal pleura. The parietal pleura can be detached from the chest wall by a small gauze in the forceps of the mediastinoscopy set. It can alternatively be performed blindly with a finger, or both techniques can be used. Then, biopsies of the adjacent parietal pleura are taken by using the biopsy forceps from the mediastinoscopy set. In this way, full-thickness specimens of the parietal pleura can be taken. An inspection of the pleural cavity may sometimes be possible, if the patient's condition permits it. Pleural specimens are sent for biopsy, frozen section biopsy, and any other appropriate examination cultures (B. Koch, Gram stain, etc). The thoracic drainage tube is then inserted as usual [2]. Advantages to our technique are: 1) it is a simple and rapid procedure that is well-tolerated by the patient; 2) it can usually be performed in both high-risk patients and in elderly patients, under local anaesthesia, and with minimal risk; 3) it can normally be used without the assistance of an anaesthetist; 4) it can be performed as an outpatient procedure or a one-day procedure; 5) it can be performed using the standard equipment of a thoracic surgery unit; 6) the main advantage is that visible pleural biopsy and haemostasis take place, in contrast to the blind biopsy of other similar minimally invasive techniques [2]. In closed pleural biopsy techniques, such as the Abrams or the Tru-Cut technique, pleural tissue is not always present in the specimen [3]. In contrast, with the above-mentioned technique, there was always pleura tissue in the specimen, and there were no complications [2]. In our technique, a suitable entry point can be chosen with CT and/or ultrasound guidance [2]. A PSID could be used and add great convenience to our technique in order to have easier and quicker application in the outpatient department. We would like to propose a combination of the use of a PSID and our minimally invasive pleural biopsy with the use of the mediastinoscope to expand the diagnostic possibilities in the investigation of pleural effusions with minimal risk for the patient. Conflict of Interest: None declared

Investigation of Pleural Effusions

Pleural effusion is a common medical condition which often presents on the AMU. There are more than 50 recognised causes of pleural effusion which include diseases local to the pleura or underlying lung, systemic conditions, organ dysfunction and drugs.1 The normal pleural space contains approximately 1mL of fluid. The balance between hydrostatic and oncotic pressures in the visceral and parietal pleural vessels maintains this environment; any disorder affecting this balance will result in a pleural effusion.

P65 Is serum N-terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement useful in the investigation of unilateral pleural effusions?—a prospective observational study

Measurement of serum NT-proBNP has been proposed in the investigation of pleural effusions, particularly in the diagnosis of cardiac failure in those misclassified as exudates by Light's criteria. Studies have...

Diagnostic tests for tuberculous pleural effusion

The investigation of pleural effusion has been greatly assisted by advancements in pleural fluid analysis. In the case of tuberculous pleural effusion, diagnosis traditionally requires the demonstration of acid fast bacilli in the pleural space using microbiological or histological techniques. In recent years, there has been progress in pleural fluid analysis in suspected tuberculous effusions, with particular interest in adenosine deaminase and interferon-γ. These individual tests are quite sensitive and specific; however, data are sparse on the benefits that multiple-parameter testing may have when analysed in combination. We reviewed the literature to investigate the evidence for multiple-parameter testing, both biochemical and clinical, in the evaluation of tuberculous effusion.

Advances in the investigation and treatment of pleural effusions

Pleural effusions present a challenge for both diagnosis and treatment. They are a commonly presenting problem of a wide range of local and systemic potentially life threatening diseases and cause significant breathlessness. Significant advances have been made in the last 5 years in the diagnostic pathway and management options. This article reviews recent developments in the investigation of pleural effusions, particularly in pleural fluid analysis, biomarkers, imaging and pleural biopsy, and in the treatment of pleural infection and both malignant and benign effusions, including the use of indwelling pleural catheters. Although significant recent advances have been made in the management of pleural effusions, there the need still remains for further research if we are to reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by pleural effusions.

Managing Pleural Disease in Acute Medicine (I): Pleural Effusion

A pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. It is a relatively common finding in clinical practice. The diagnostic approach to the patient presenting with a pleural effusion is aimed at defining the effusion as a transudate or an exudate. This review summarises the initial assessment and investigation of pleural effusions diagnosed during the acute medical take, and who should be referred for specialist advice. In addition, recent developments, including the measurement of NT-proBNP levels and diagnostic markers for mesothelioma, are presented.

The Role of Abrams Percutaneous Pleural Biopsy in the Investigation of Exudative Pleural Effusions

Blind percutaneous pleural biopsy has traditionally been performed to investigate the etiology of exudative pleural effusion in which the initial thoracentesis has been nondiagnostic. In view of the increasing use of image-guided and thoracoscopic pleural biopsies, this study examines the role of blind Abrams pleural biopsy in the investigation of pleural effusion in a large urban hospital. Patients undergoing blind Abrams needle biopsy between January 1997 and 2003 were identified from the hospital pathology database. The case notes and pathology records of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had presented to respiratory teams with an exudative pleural effusion and had initial nondiagnostic thoracentesis. Seventy-five patients undergoing blind biopsy were identified. Pleural tissue was obtained in 59 biopsies (79%), with no statistically significant difference in pleural yield between respiratory specialist registrars (equivalent to pulmonary fellows in training) and senior house officers/preregistration house officers (equivalent to junior residents and interns, respectively) performing the biopsy (chi(2) test, p = 0.43). When up to three samples were obtained per episode, sufficient pleural tissue was obtained in 18 of 25 patients (72%) compared to 80% (32 of 40 patients) in whom four to six samples were taken (chi(2) test, p = 0.55 [not significant]). For all diagnoses, blind biopsy had a sensitivity of 38%, which rose to 43% when reviewing patients in whom sufficient pleural tissue was obtained (for malignant diagnosis alone, sensitivity values were 43% and 51%, respectively; specificity, 100%; negative and positive predictive values, 51%). No fatalities were reported, and pneumothorax was seen in eight patients (11%), with only two patients requiring specific intervention. Blind Abrams needle biopsy obtaining pleural tissue was diagnostic in approximately 50% of patients presenting with malignant effusion in the sample, and can be performed safely by all grades of medical staff with due attention to technique and supervision. The data support the continued use of the Abrams needle in the investigation of malignant pleural disease.

Investigation of Pleural Effusion: An Evaluation of the New Olympus LTF Semiflexible Thoracofiberscope and Comparison With Abram's Needle Biopsy

Recently, pulmonologists have performed thoracoscopy under local anesthesia using rigid thoracoscopes or flexible bronchoscopes. The latter allow greater access within the pleural cavity but are difficult to manipulate. The Olympus LTF semiflexible fiberoptic thoracoscope combines features of both instruments, having a solid body and a flexible terminal section. In the first study with this instrument, we evaluated ease of use and compared diagnostic yield with closed needle biopsy. Twenty-four patients with pleural effusion were investigated. Scottish University Hospital. Thoracoscopy was performed in the bronchoscopy suite after premedication with atropine and papaveretum. Following a standard Abram's needle biopsy, the LTF thoracoscope was inserted through a flexible introducer (Olympus Optical Co Ltd; Tokyo, Japan). The pleura was inspected and biopsy specimens were taken of suspicious areas. The final diagnosis was malignant pleural effusion in 16 of 24 patients. Ten of 16 were positive by Abram's biopsy, giving a sensitivity of 62%. Thirteen of 16 were positive by fiberoptic thoracoscopy, giving an improved sensitivity of 81%. The LTF thoracoscope was easy to use for pulmonologists experienced in rigid thoracoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy. Excellent views of the pleura were obtained from a single entry point. The procedure was well tolerated and no complications were encountered. The LTF thoracoscope allows excellent pleural access but a larger biopsy channel (currently 2 mm) might increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

Usefulness of computerized tomography in the study of pleural effusion with no presumed diagnosis

To establish the diagnostic yield of computerized tomography (CT) in pleural effusions with no presumed diagnosis arising from standard clinical examination. A prospective protocol study enrolling all cases of effusion admitted to our hospital between January 1994 through July 1995 without a presumed diagnosis after initial testing that included thoracocentesis. Twenty-two patients were enrolled. All were given a CT scan as well as other complementary examinations considered appropriate and were referred to our outpatient clinic for follow-up. The CT images were read by an expert radiologist and their contribution was classified as "diagnostic", "suggestive" or "nil". A definitive etiologic diagnosis was achieved in 14 cases (8 neoplasms, 4 benign due to asbestos, 1 tuberculosis and 1 pulmonary embolism). The CT contribution was nil in 13 cases (59%), "diagnostic" in 6 (2 mesotheliomas, 1 hypernephroma, 1 lymphoma, 1 adenocarcinoma of the colon and another of the ovary) and "suggestive" in 3 (2 benign due to asbestos and 1 lymphoma). Positive information was obtained in 9 cases (41%). CT gives good yield in the investigation of pleural effusions with no presumed diagnosis and should be made available to this group of patients before other more invasive procedures are resorted to. It is especially useful for detecting neoplastic disease of the upper abdomen, mesothelioma and sings of unsuspected exposure to asbestos.

The investigation of pleural effusions in the horse

The investigation of pleural effusions in the horse

Investigation of pleural effusion: the role of bronchoscopy.

To assess the place of bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusion, 245 patients presenting during a two year period were reviewed. Of the 46 patients who had bronchoscopy, a positive yield was obtained in 13, though in five of these a second pleural aspiration was also diagnostic. Bronchoscopy was more likely to be diagnostic in patients presenting with a cough (12/24) than in those with no cough (1/22) (p less than 0.001), and in those whose chest X-ray revealed significant radiological abnormalities such as hilar enlargement, lung mass or persisting consolidation (12/29), than in those without such changes (1/17) (p less than 0.01). Bronchoscopy has a limited role in the investigation of pleural effusion. The presence or absence of cough, and the appearance of the chest X-ray, are both important considerations when planning the investigation of an undiagnosed pleural effusion.

The role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusion.

Published data on the role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the investigation of pleural effusions are sparse and conflicting. We have reviewed our experience from November 1980 to December 1986. Thirty-two patients were identified from bronchoscopy records as having undergone the procedure during the evaluation of an effusion. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 6 of the 32 cases, but less invasive procedures had given the diagnosis in 4, and in the other 2 cases radiological abnormalities other than the effusion suggested an underlying bronchial malignancy. We conclude that routine fibreoptic bronchoscopy is not justified in the evaluation of pleural effusions.

Cytologic studies in skin cancer.

For several years prior to 1943, Dr. Papanicolaou and his staff had been investigating a smear cytologic technique for the investigation of cancerous lesions of the vagina, cervix, and uterus. They found early that, because of the amount of blood and mucus in most smears from the vagina, the usual stains were inadequate as the technique stained all the material, so that finding the abnormal cells was difficult. They devised a stain which picked out the nuclei of aberrant cells and left most of the background unstained. All this material was published in a beautifully illustrated monograph entitledDiagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vagina Smear.1Since that time, this technique has been very widely used, and there is a tremendous amount of literature on its application. Some time later, this technique was used in the investigation of pleural effusions, urine, gastric washings, smears from mouth and throat, bronchi,