Pleural Fluid Lactate Dehydrogenase Research Articles

Development and validation of a scoring system for the identification of pleural exudates of cardiac origin

BackgroundLight's criteria misclassify about 30% of cardiac effusions as exudates, possibly leading to unnecessary testing. Our purpose was to derive and validate a scoring model to effectively identify these falsely categorized cardiac effusions, in the setting of natriuretic peptide lacking data. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 3182 patients with exudative pleural effusions based on Light's criteria, of whom 276 had heart failure (derivation set). A scoring model was generated with those variables identified as independent predictors of cardiac effusions in a logistic regression analysis, and further evaluated in an independent population of 1165 patients. ResultsThe score consisted of age ≥75years (3 points), albumin gradient >1.2g/dL (3 points), pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase <250U/L (2 points), bilateral effusions on chest radiograph (2 points), and protein gradient >2.5g/dL (1 point). At the best cutoff of ≥7 points, the score yielded 92% diagnostic accuracy, a likelihood ratio positive of 12.7 and a likelihood ratio negative of 0.39 for labeling cardiac effusions in the derivation sample. The respective figures in the validation sample were 87%, 6.5 and 0.33. Notably, the score had higher discriminatory properties than protein and albumin gradients in both the derivation (respective area under the curve – AUC – of 0.925, 0.825, and 0.801) and validation (respective AUC of 0.908 0.862 and 0.802; all p≤0.01) cohorts. ConclusionsA simple scoring system can assist clinicians in accurately identifying false cardiac exudates when natriuretic peptides are not available.

Predictors of Prolonged Hospitalizations in Pediatric Complicated Pneumonia

Pediatric community-acquired complicated pneumonia (PCACP) is characterized by a prolonged clinical course, but this may be highly variable. A multicenter observational study was conducted to develop and validate a clinical prediction tool for prolonged hospitalizations in PCACP. The derivation and validation cohorts consisted of 144 and 169 patients with PCACP, respectively, hospitalized between the years 1997 and 2017 in three tertiary care hospitals. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify parameters associated with a prolonged hospitalization and to develop and validate a prediction model for constructing a useful clinical tool. Higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P< .026) and lower levels of glucose (P= .018) in pleural fluid were significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization. A predictive stepwise logistic regression model was developed and applied to the validation cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) constructed indicated that the model retained good predictive value (AUROC for the derivation vsvalidation data, [0.77 (95%CI, 0.66-0.87) vs0.82 (95%CI, 0.72-0.91)], respectively). From these data, a clinical tool was derived; the combination of pleural LDH >1,000 units/L and pleural glucose levels< 1mmol/L or pleural LDH levels > 2,000 units/L and pleural glucose levels< 2mmol/L or pleural LDH levels > 3,000 units/L and pleural glucose< 3mmol/L predict prolonged hospitalization with positive and negative predictive values of 78%(95%CI, 0.71-0.85) and 73%(95%CI, 0.59-0.85), respectively. In children, pleural fluid LDH and glucose levels are useful parameters for assessing the severity of PCACP. The model developed in this study accurately predicts patients who will have prolonged hospitalization.

Role of Pleural Biopsy in the Etiological Diagnosis of Exudative Pleural Effusion

Purpose: Exudative pleural effusion usually indicates an underlying pulmonary pathology. Sometimes etiological diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion is difficult despite cytological, biochemical and microbiological tests. Aim of present study was to make an etiological diagnosis of exudative pleural effusion by pleural biopsy.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed from January 2012 to December 2014 in the Department of Internal Medicine &amp; Pulmonology of BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 51 patients with exudative pleural effusion in whom the diagnosis was uncertain after routine biochemical, cytological and microbiological evaluation of pleural fluid were included in the study. These patients underwent pleural biopsy by Abram’s needle and histopathology was done to determine the etiology of pleural effusion.Results: Majority (74.5%) of the patients were male. Mean age of the patients was 52.7±16.0 years. Most (52.9%) patients had right sided pleural effusion. Histopathology report of the pleural biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation compatible with tuberculosis (TB) in 15 (29.4%), metastatic malignancy in 10 (19.6%) and chronic inflammation in 9 (17.6%) cases. In 17 (33.3%) cases the histopathology did not reveal any abnormality. Among 10 cases of metastatic malignancy, most (7, 70%) were adenocarcinoma. Compared to malignancy cases, TB cases were younger in age (Mean age: TB - 45.0±17.9 vs malignancy - 61.8±13.0 years). Pleural fluid was straw color in all (100%) cases of TB and hemorrhagic in almost all (90%) cases of metastatic malignancy (p 0.000). Mean value of pleural fluid protein (59.1±4.8 vs 47.3±4.2 gm/L; p 0.003), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (917.3±219.3 vs 464.3±112.3 U/L; p 0.101), adenosine deaminase (ADA) (39.0±3.7 vs 15.615.6±2.3 U/L; p 0.016), total leukocyte count (1039.3±776.8 vs 439.2±138.2 cells/cmm; p 0.328) and lymphocyte percentage (94.4±4.3 vs 68.3±9.3; p 0.003) were all raised in TB compared to metastatic malignancyConclusions: Pleural biopsy was definitive diagnostic in almost half the patients with exudative pleural effusion. Tuberculosis was more common than malignancy particularly in young persons. Pleural fluid protein, LDH and ADA are significantly raised in TB compared to malignancy.Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2017; 5(1): 33-36

Factors influencing pleural drainage in parapneumonic effusions

ObjectiveThe identification of parapneumonic effusions (PPE) requiring pleural drainage is challenging. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of radiological and pleural fluid findings in discriminating between PPE that need drainage (complicated PPE (CPPE)) and those that could be resolved with antibiotics only (uncomplicated PPE (UPPE)). Subjects and methodsA retrospective review of 641 consecutive PPE, of which 393 were categorized as CPPE and 248 as UPPE. Demographics, radiological (size and laterality on a chest radiograph) and pleural fluid parameters (pus, bacterial cultures, biochemistries) were compared among groups. Logistic regression was performed to determine variables useful for predicting chest drainage, and receiver-operating characteristic curves assisted in the selection of the best cutoff values. ResultsAccording to the likelihood ratios (LR), findings increasing the probability of chest tube usage the most were: effusions occupying ≥1/2 of the hemithorax (LR 13.5), pleural fluid pH ≤7.15 (LR 6.2), pleural fluid glucose ≤40mg/dL (LR 5.6), pus (LR 4.8), positive pleural fluid cultures (LR 3.6), and pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase >2000U/L (LR 3.4). In the logistic regression analysis only the first two were selected as significant predictors of CPPE. In non-purulent effusions, the effusion's size and pleural fluid pH retained their discriminatory properties, in addition to a pleural fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) level >100mg/L. ConclusionLarge radiological effusions and a pleural fluid pH ≤7.15 were the best predictors for chest drainage in patients with PPE. In the subgroup of patients with non-purulent effusions, pleural fluid CRP also contributed to CPPE identification.

Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase/serum C-reactive protein ratio for the differentiation of tuberculous and parapneumonic effusions with neutrophilic predominance and high adenosine deaminase levels.

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and parapneumonic effusion (PPE) are usually distinguished by cellular predominance and pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels. However, both diseases may occasionally show similar neutrophilic predominance and high ADA levels. In such cases, the differential diagnosis between TPE and PPE is challenging and has been rarely investigated. A retrospective study was conducted on TPE and PPE patients with neutrophilic exudate and pleural fluid ADA levels≥40 U/L. Individual and combined parameters of routine blood and pleural fluid tests were compared between the two groups, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for identifying TPE. Thirty-six TPE and 41 PPE patients were included. White blood cell counts, serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP), and pleural fluid pH, lactate dehydrogenase, and ADA levels showed significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001). Among multiple parameters, pleural fluid ADA/S-CRP ratio, which best reflected different local and systemic characteristics between TPE and PPE, provided the highest diagnostic accuracy with an area under the ROC curve of 0.93. At a cutoff value of 5.62, ADA/S-CRP ratio had a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 88%, positive likelihood ratio of 7.29, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.13 for identifying TPE. Additionally, more than half of TPE patients had a ratio above 15.82, while none of PPE patients showed such findings. Pleural fluid ADA/S-CRP ratio, as a simple method using routine laboratory tests, may be helpful in discriminating between TPE and PPE patients with neutrophilic predominance and ADA ≥40U/L.

Different characteristics of tuberculous pleural effusion according to pleural fluid cellular predominance and loculation.

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) exhibits different characteristics according to pleural fluid cellular predominance or whether the pleural fluid is free-flowing or loculated. However, its categorization based on either of these factors alone may be insufficient to properly reflect the heterogeneous manifestation of TPE. We evaluated the characteristics of the four TPE groups classified according to cellular predominance and whether the fluid is free-flowing or loculated. A cohort of 375 patients with TPE was retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings were compared between neutrophilic and lymphocytic TPE, and between free-flowing and loculated effusion for both neutrophilic and lymphocytic TPE. Lymphocytic TPE and neutrophilic TPE were observed in 336 (90%) and 39 (10%) patients, respectively. Pleural fluid loculation was present in 36% and 31% of the patients in the lymphocytic and neutrophilic groups, respectively. A few parameters of the laboratory findings between neutrophilic and lymphocytic TPE patients showed significant differences. However, these significant differences were prominently observed when comparing free-flowing and loculated subgroups of the respective neutrophilic and lymphocytic groups. Pleural fluid pH, lactate dehydrogenase, and adenosine deaminase levels were significantly different among the four subgroups. The neutrophilic loculated subgroup exhibited the most intense pleural inflammation and the highest mycobacterial yields when compared to the other subgroups. However, the percentage of neutrophils in the pleural fluid was not positively associated with the probability of culture-positive effusion. The heterogeneous manifestation of TPE would be better characterized by using a classification system based on combined pleural fluid cellular predominance and loculation, with the neutrophilic loculated subgroup contributing to most of the clinically significant differences.

Phenotyping malignant pleural effusions.

Patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) are heterogenous in their disease course, symptom severity, responses to cancer therapies, fluid recurrence rates, and thus need for definitive fluid control measures. To tailor the most appropriate treatment for individual patients, clinicians need to 'phenotype' the patients and predict their clinical course. This review highlights the recent efforts to develop better predictive tools and knowledge gaps for further research. The LENT scoring system, which includes pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase, performance status, serum neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and tumor type, allows prediction of the survival of patients with MPE. Symptomatic response after therapeutic pleural drainage is highly variable; ongoing studies aim to identify those who would derive symptomatic benefit from fluid drainages. Multivariate analysis found that patients with low pleural fluid pH [odds ratio (OR) 37.04], large effusions (OR 3.31), and increasing age (OR 1.02) were more likely to require pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter placement for fluid control. Better predictive tools for rate of fluid recurrence and likelihood of successful pleurodesis would help guide clinical decision-making. Phenotyping MPE would guide the formulation of optimal management for individual MPE patients.

Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Predicts Survival in Patients with Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Systemic and local inflammations have been described as relevant prognostic factors in patients with cancer. However, parameters that stand for immune activity in the pleural space have not been tested as predictors of survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate pleural lymphocytes and Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) as predictors of survival in patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion. Retrospective cohort study includes patients who underwent pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion in a tertiary center. Pleural fluid protein concentration, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, oncotic cytology, cell count, and ADA were collected before pleurodesis and analyzed. Survival analysis was performed considering pleurodesis as time origin, and death as the event. Backwards stepwise Cox regression was used to find predictors of survival. 156 patients (out of 196 potentially eligible) were included in this study. Most were female (72%) and breast cancer was the most common underlying malignancy (53%). Pleural fluid ADA level was stratified as low (<15U/L), normal (15≤ADA<40), and high (≥40). Low and high ADA levels were associated with worse survival when compared to normal ADA (logrank: 0.0024). In multivariable analysis, abnormal ADA (<15 or ADA≥40) and underlying malignancies different from lymphoma, lung, or breast cancer were associated with worse survival. Pleural fluid cell count and lymphocytes number and percentage did not correlate with survival. Pleural fluid Adenosine Deaminase levels (<15 or ≥40U/L) and neoplasms other than lung, breast, or lymphoma are independent predictors of worse survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion who undergo pleurodesis.

Pleural LDH as a prognostic marker in adenocarcinoma lung with malignant pleural effusion

To study the performance of serum and pleural lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in predicting survival in patients with adenocarcinoma lung presenting with malignant pleural effusions (MPE) at initial diagnosis.Retrospective cohort study of the patient hospitalized for adenocarcinoma lung with MPE in year 2012.Univariate analyses showed lower pleural fluid LDH 667 (313–967) versus 971 (214–3800), P = 0.04, female gender 9 (100%) versus 27 (41.5%), P = 0.009, never smoking status 9 (100%) versus 36 (55.3%), P = 0.009, and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy 8 (89%) versus 26 (40%), P = 0.009 to correlate with survival of more than 1.7 year versus less than 1.7 year. In multivariate analysis, low pleural fluid LDH and female gender maintained significance. The pleural LDH level of ≤1500 and >1500 U/L discriminated significantly (P = 0.009) between survival.High pleural LDH (>1500 IU/L) predicts shorter survival (less than a year) in patients with adenocarcinoma lung presenting with MPE at the time of initial diagnosis. This marker may be clinically applied for selecting therapeutic modality directed at prevention of reaccumulation of MPE. Patients with low pleural LDH may be considered suitable for measures that provide more sustained effect on prevention of reaccumulation such as chemical pleurodesis or tunneled pleural catheter.

Factors influencing pleural drainage in parapneumonic effusions

ObjectiveThe identification of parapneumonic effusions (PPE) requiring pleural drainage is challenging. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of radiological and pleural fluid findings in discriminating between PPE that need drainage (complicated PPE (CPPE)) and those that could be resolved with antibiotics only (uncomplicated PPE (UPPE)). Subjects and methodsA retrospective review of 641 consecutive PPE, of which 393 were categorized as CPPE and 248 as UPPE. Demographics, radiological (size and laterality on a chest radiograph) and pleural fluid parameters (pus, bacterial cultures, biochemistries) were compared among groups. Logistic regression was performed to determine variables useful for predicting chest drainage, and receiver-operating characteristic curves assisted in the selection of the best cutoff values. ResultsAccording to the likelihood ratios (LR), findings increasing the probability of chest tube usage the most were: effusions occupying ≥1/2 of the hemithorax (LR 13.5), pleural fluid pH ≤7.15 (LR 6.2), pleural fluid glucose ≤40mg/dL (LR 5.6), pus (LR 4.8), positive pleural fluid cultures (LR 3.6), and pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase >2000U/L (LR 3.4). In the logistic regression analysis only the first two were selected as significant predictors of CPPE. In non-purulent effusions, the effusion's size and pleural fluid pH retained their discriminatory properties, in addition to a pleural fluid C-reactive protein (CRP) level >100mg/L. ConclusionLarge radiological effusions and a pleural fluid pH ≤7.15 were the best predictors for chest drainage in patients with PPE. In the subgroup of patients with non-purulent effusions, pleural fluid CRP also contributed to CPPE identification.

Sestrin-2 is significantly increased in malignant pleural effusions due to lung cancer and is potentially secreted by pleural mesothelial cells

ObjectivesSestrin-2 (Sesn2) belongs to a family of highly conserved antioxidant proteins that were discovered as p53-inducible proteins and inhibits cell growth and proliferation. Our aim was to assess the levels of Sesn2 in malignant pleural effusions of lung cancer patients compared to benign pleural effusions. Design and methodsWe enrolled 73 patients (55/males and 18/females) diagnosed with pleural effusion (PE). PEs were grouped as 44 malignant pleural effusions (MPEs; lung cancer) and 29 benign (BPE; 7 congestive heart failure, 9 tuberculosis, 13 parapneumonic). Pleural fluid (PF) Sesn2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Standard biochemical PF analysis was also performed and Sesn2 levels were correlated with PF lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, cell counts and age. ResultsSesn2 was detected in 24/44 patients with MPEs and in 3/29 patients with BPEs (p=0.0001). The mean value (mean±SEM) of Sesn2 in patients with MPEs was 0.54±0.22ng/mL while in BPEs it was 0.12±0.04ng/mL (p=0.0004). In MPEs Sesn2 pleural fluid levels did not correlate with PF LDH and cell counts (p=0.89 and p=0.64 respectively). ConclusionsOur study shows that Sesn2 is significantly increased in MPEs compared to BPEs. Moreover, the lack of correlation of Sesn2 levels with PF cell counts and PF LDH suggests that it is potentially secreted by pleural mesothelial cells.

Pleural fluid procalcitonin to distinguish infectious from noninfectious etiologies of pleural effusions.

In this study we investigate the diagnostic value of pleural fluid procalcitonin (PCT) in distinguishing infectious and noninfectious etiologies of pleural effusion. We reviewed the medical records of 75 hospitalized patients who underwent thoracentesis between 2011 and 2012. Data on pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, albumin, cell count and differential, pH, Gram stain and culture, cytology, triglyceride, cholesterol, amylase, and PCT were collected. Data on serum LDH, protein, albumin, prothrombin time, normalized, and blood culture were also collected. Pleural effusions were classified into 2 groups, infectious and noninfectious. There were 18 infectious pleural effusions (IPE) and 57 noninfectious pleural effusions (NIPE). Median pleural fluid PCT was 1.088 ng/mL (0.312-2.940 ng/mL) in IPE and 0.123 ng/mL (0.05-0.263 ng/mL) in NIPE, with a P value < 0.0001. Pleural fluid PCT > 0.25 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 77.78% and specificity of 74.14% for diagnosing an IPE. A subgroup analysis of PCT in exudative infectious effusions versus exudative noninfectious malignant/paramalignant effusions showed higher levels in the former. PCT is a novel biomarker for diagnosing infectious pleural effusion, and it would be worthwhile to investigate the role of pleural PCT in assessing severity of illness, risk stratification, and antibiotic stewardship in hospitalized patients with pleural effusions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:363-365. 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Pleural effusion levels of DJ-1 are increased in elderly lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusions

Objectives: DJ-1 is a multifunctional protein implicated in redox dependent cell fate decisions. The aim of our study was to determine the pleural fluid (PF) levels of DJ-1 in malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) secondary to lung cancer. Additionally, we opted to assess potential correlations of DJ-1 PF levels with the PF levels of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) and 8-isoprostane that are known antioxidant enzymes and have been previously reported in MPEs.Methods: Forty lung cancer patients with cytological proof of MPE were enrolled in this study. The PF levels of DJ-1, SOD1, and 8-isoprostane were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: The median PF levels of DJ-1 were 826 ng/mL (interquartile range, IQR: 482–1010 ng/mL). DJ-1 PF levels significantly correlated with PF Cu/Zn-SOD1 and PF 8-isoprostane levels (Spearman's rho, r; r = −0.476, P = 0.002 and r = −0.264, P = 0.033, respectively), PF lactate dehydrogenase (r = −0.497, P = 0.001) and total PF cell counts (r = −0.325, P = 0.041). Finally, in patients aged over 65 the PF DJ-1 levels were significantly higher than patients aged less than 65 (875 ng/mL vs. 607 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.037).Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first report to determine DJ-1's levels in MPEs due to lung cancer. The negative correlations between DJ-1, SOD1, and 8-isorpostane warrant further investigation regarding the altered redox regulation associated with MPEs.

Survival in Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusions Who Developed Pleural Infection

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) incidence is increasing, and prognosis remains poor. Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) relieve symptoms but increase the risk of pleural infection. We reviewed cases of pleural infection in patients with IPCs for MPE from six UK centers between January 1, 2005, and January 31, 2014. Survival in patients with pleural infection was compared with 788 patients with MPE (known as the LENT [pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, serum neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and tumor type] cohort) and with national statistics. Of 672 IPCs inserted, 25 (3.7%) became infected. Most patients (20 of 25) had mesothelioma or lung cancer. Median survival in the pleural infection cohort appeared longer than in the LENT cohort, although this result did not achieve significance (386 days vs 132 days; hazard ratio, 0.67; P = .07). Median survival with mesothelioma and pleural infection was twice as long as national estimates for mesothelioma survival (753 days vs < 365 days) and double the median survival of patients with mesothelioma in the LENT cohort (339 days; 95% CI, nonoverlapping). Survival with lung and breast cancer did not differ significantly between the groups. Sixty-one percent of patients experienced early infection. There was no survival difference between patients with early and late infection (P = .6). This small series of patients with IPCs for MPE suggests pleural infection may be associated with longer survival, particularly in patients with mesothelioma. Results did not achieve significance, and a larger study is needed to explore this relationship further and investigate whether the local immune response, triggered by infection, is able to modulate mesothelioma progression.

Endobronchial Foreign Body (FB): A Rare Cause of Empyema.

Endobronchial foreign body presenting as pleural effusion is rare. We here by present a case of a 53 years old man who presented with history of left sided empyema. He was found to have endobronchial foreign body. We want to high light that even though uncommon, endobronchial foreign body should be considered in one of the differential diagnosis of empyema. A 53-year-old gentleman, non smoker- non alcoholic, working as a supervisor in Construction Company, presented with cough, muco-purulent expectoration and on and off low grade fever for last one year. His cough had worsened over the last six months. At the time of presentation, he had purulent foul smelling sputum and high grade fever. He also complained of left sided pleuritic chest pain and breathing difficulty for the last one month. He denied any history of allergy, atopy, hemoptysis, loss of weight or loss of appetite. He received multiple courses of antibiotics in recent past with marginal symptomatic benefit. He did not have any co-morbidity other than diabetes mellitus. His vitals were: blood pressure: 130/80 mm of hg, pulse rate of 88/min, respiratory rate of 20/min, and oxygen saturation on breathing room air 98%. Respiratory system examination was consistent with left moderate pleural effusion. No abnormality was detected in any other system. Tuberculin test (10 T.U.) was negative. His blood investigations were as follows: Hb 13.3 gm/dl, white blood cell counts 12.7 x 103 /ml with 69.6 % neutrophils. His CRP (C-reactive protein) level was elevated (124.06mg/L). His liver function test, renal function test and serum electrolytes were normal. Chest radiograph showed left sided loculated pleural effusion [Table/Fig-1]. CT chest showed left sided moderate pleural effusion with underlying collapsed left lung [Table/Fig-2]. There was mild narrowing of left lower lobe bronchus. Diagnostic pleural fluid (PF) aspiration was done, the results were as follows: (PF) protein 5.9gm/dl, PF lactate dehydro genase 925.9, PF glucose 111.7gm/dl, PF adenosine demainase 20.6 U/l. [Table/Fig-1]: Chest radiograph showing left sided loculated pleural effusion [Table/Fig-2]: CT chest with contrast showing narrowing of left lower lobe bronchus with underlying collapse consolidation and left pleural effusion Medical thoracoscopy was done. It showed multiple fibrous adhesions involving pleural surfaces and subtle granularity. Approximately 800 ml of thin pus was aspirated and intercostal chest drain (ICD) was inserted. As his symptoms were persistent fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was performed prior to removing the ICD. To our surprise, FOB showed a sharp mucoid impacted foreignbody (FB) protruding from left lower lobe basal segments. It was retrieved with bronchoscopy biopsy forceps. Post removal of FB the visualized mucosa looked inflamed. The FB was a bone 3 x 0.5 x 0.5 cm in size [Table/Fig-3] ICD drain was removed the next day of bronchoscopy and patient was discharged on oral antibiotics and inhaled bronchodilators. He has been on regular follow up there after without any re-accumulation of fluid [Table/Fig-4]. [Table/Fig-3]: Retrieved foreign body- a bone [Table/Fig-4]: Follow up x-ray showing clearance of pleural effusion Unsuspected aspirated FB is an uncommon cause of unresolved pneumonia or empyema in adult patient. FOB can be the investigation of choice in majority of such patients. A high degree of suspicion is mandatory to avoid the delay in procedure to decrease in the rate of procedure-related complications. Unresolved pneumonia, localised bronchiectasis or localised hyperlucency/air trapping are helpful clinical clues [1]. Chronic lung infections are common cause for bronchiectasis but in present case it leaded to development of empyema. It is well known that long standing FB aspiration may cause bronchiectasis, necrotising pneumonia or pleural effusion [2]. Empyema following aspiration of a FB is rare scenario. In one study, done over a period of 15 y, it was found that among 1038 patients with bronchiectasis, only eight were found to be due to a long retained FB [1]. It has been observed that removal of FB is sufficient to revert the lung changes to normal and usually it does not warrant any surgical intervention [1,2]. In the present case, the FB was aspirated and found in the left lower lobe bronchus. The aspirated FB commonly ends up on the right side, but few previous studies had shown that FB aspiration into the left main bronchus was also not uncommon [3]. In one published series 28 out of 60 (47%) FB were on left side and in another approximately 80 out of 200 (40%) were found in the left endobronchial tree [3]. FB aspiration should be considered as one of the differential of chronic intractable cough and / or unresolved pneumonia. A long-term unrecognised FB aspiration can present with recurrent pneumonia and secondary empyema. There are few reports of foreign body causing empyema and to the best of our knowledge none from India.

Authors’ response to Murrayet al

We thank Murray et al for their interest and complementary comments regarding the LENT score (pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (PS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and tumour type).1 We are pleased they felt it would be a beneficial addition to multidisciplinary team discussions. We agree with their observation that the survival differences between cell types may reflect different stages of disease at presentation with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) or the availability of subsequent effective therapies for some of the underlying tumour types. However, when designing the LENT score we chose to use the cell types themselves rather than …

Predicting survival in malignant pleural effusion: development and validation of the LENT prognostic score

BackgroundMalignant pleural effusion (MPE) causes debilitating breathlessness and predicting survival is challenging. This study aimed to obtain contemporary data on survival by underlying tumour type in patients with MPE, identify...

Does this patient have an exudative pleural effusion? The Rational Clinical Examination systematic review.

Thoracentesis is performed to identify the cause of a pleural effusion. Although generally safe, thoracentesis may be complicated by transient hypoxemia, bleeding, patient discomfort, reexpansion pulmonary edema, and pneumothorax. To identify the best means for differentiating between transudative and exudative effusions and also to identify thoracentesis techniques for minimizing the risk of complications by performing a systematic review the evidence. We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Embase from inception to February 2014 to identify relevant studies. We included randomized and observational studies of adult patients undergoing thoracentesis that examined diagnostic tests for differentiating exudates from transudates and evaluated thoracentesis techniques associated with a successful procedure with minimal complications. Two investigators independently appraised study quality and extracted data from studies of laboratory diagnosis of pleural effusion for calculation of likelihood ratios (LRs; n = 48 studies) and factors affecting adverse event rates (n = 37 studies). The diagnosis of an exudate was most accurate if cholesterol in the pleural fluid was greater than 55 mg/dL (LR range, 7.1-250), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was greater than 200 U/L (LR, 18; 95% CI, 6.8-46), or the ratio of pleural fluid cholesterol to serum cholesterol was greater than 0.3 (LR, 14; 95% CI, 5.5-38). A diagnosis of exudate was less likely when all Light's criteria (a ratio of pleural fluid protein to serum protein >0.5, a ratio of pleural fluid LDH to serum LDH >0.6, or pleural fluid LDH >two-thirds the upper limit of normal for serum LDH) were absent (LR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.02-0.11). The most common complication of thoracentesis was pneumothorax, which occurred in 6.0% of cases (95% CI, 4.0%-7.0%). Chest tube placement was required in 2.0% of procedures (95% CI, 0.99%-2.9%) in which a patient was determined to have radiographic evidence of a pneumothorax. With ultrasound, a radiologist's marking the needle insertion site was not associated with decreased pneumothorax events (skin marking vs no skin marking odds ratio [OR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.08-1.7). Use of ultrasound by any experienced practitioner also was not associated with decreased pneumothorax events (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.06-5.3). Light's criteria, cholesterol and pleural fluid LDH levels, and the pleural fluid cholesterol-to-serum ratio are the most accurate diagnostic indicators for pleural exudates. Ultrasound skin marking by a radiologist or ultrasound-guided thoracentesis were not associated with a decrease in pneumothorax events.

Improving the Predictive Accuracy of Identifying Exudative Effusions

Application of Light's criteria results in misclassification of some transudative effusions as exudative, particularly because of congestive heart failure (CHF). We sought to determine if the serum to pleural fluid albumin (SF-A) and serum to pleural fluid protein (SF-P) gradients increased the predictive accuracy to correctly identify exudative effusions. We retrospectively analyzed 1,153 consecutive patients who underwent a diagnostic thoracentesis at the Medical University South Carolina. Univariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the statistical significance of pleural fluid tests that correctly identified exudative effusions. Tests with significant diagnostic accuracy were combined in multivariable logistic regression models, with calculation of areas under the curve (AUCs) to determine their predictive accuracy. The predictive capability of the best model was compared with Light's criteria and other test combinations. Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), SF-A gradient, and SF-P gradient had a significant effect on the probability of identifying exudative pleural effusions. When combined together in a multivariable logistic regression, LDH (OR, 14.09 [95% CI, 2.25-85.50]), SF-A gradient (OR, 7.16 [95% CI, 1.24-41.43]), and SF-P gradient (OR, 6.83 [95% CI, 1.56-27.88]) had an AUC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85-0.98). Application of Light's criteria, not uncommonly, misclassifies CHF transudative effusions as exudates. In cases where no cause for an exudative effusion can be identified or CHF is suspected, the sequential application of the fluid LDH, followed by the SF-P and then the SF-A gradients, may assist in reclassifying pleural effusions as transudates.

Factors predictive of the failure of medical treatment in patients with pleural infection

Background/AimsThe clinical outcomes of some patients with pleural infection may be favorable with medical treatment alone, but in others, the disease progresses and requires additional surgical treatment. However, little is known about the factors affecting this difference. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors predictive of failure of medical treatment in patients with pleural infection.MethodsA cohort of 127 consecutive patients who were admitted to the hospital with pleural infection was studied. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings in patients in whom medical treatment succeeded or failed were reviewed.ResultsIn univariate analysis, the significant factors associated with medical treatment outcome were age, smoking history, duration of chief complaint, serum albumin level, and pleural fluid glucose and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age and duration of chief complaint as independent predictive factors for failure of medical treatment, with odds ratios of 0.871 (p = 0.013) and 0.797 (p = 0.026), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined cutoff values of 50.5 years for age and 4.5 days for duration of chief complaint.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that a younger age < 50.5 years and shorter duration of chief complaint < 4.5 days were independent predictive factors for the failure of medical treatment in patients with pleural infection. This suggests their role as evaluative criteria in setting indications for the optimal treatment in patients with pleural infection. A larger, prospective study is required to confirm these findings.