STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic value of four different tumor markers: cancer antigen 125 (CA-125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in patients with malignant and non-malignant pleural effusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and two patients with pleural effusion treated in the University Hospital in Warsaw b...

STUDY OBJECTIVES Biochemical and inflammatory markers in pleural inflammation were evaluated in pediatric cases of parapneumonic effusions, and interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations were tested for possible differentiation of the complicated nature of effusions. PATIENTS Twenty-eight patients (12 female) who were admitted to Hacettepe University Childrens' Ho...

The diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) is frequently problematic. Several markers of TBPE in pleural fluid have been evaluated, with different results. Pleural effusions from 96 patients were classified on the basis of definitive diagnosis as tuberculous (n = 39), neoplastic (n = 42) or parapneumonic (n = 15). Adenosine deaminase (ADA), ADA isoform ADA-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, C...

the causes and situation of exudative pleural effusion vary from one area to another. a cross-sectional study was conducted on 327 patients with exudative pleural effusion in south khorasan province (iran). the patients were older than 12 years and comprised 172 (52.6%) males and 155 (47.4%) females. the study commenced in 2007 with seven years duration. the light’s criteria were used to define...

Pleural effusion is a common complication of acute lung infection, with rising morbidity and mortality. If poorly treated, parapneumonic evolves to the fibrino-purulent stage wherein antibiotic therapy alone becomes inadequate. Chest CT gold standard diagnostic imaging tool, however, in resource-limited context, it may not be performed. ultrasound can therefore an alternative for drainage inter...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the clinical and microbiological characteristics of parapneumonic effusions in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were different from those observed in patients without HIV infection. One hundred and thirty seven patients with parapneumonic effusions were included and divided in...

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic pleural effusion (EPE) is defined by an eosinophil count of ≥10% in the pleural fluid and often caused by air or blood in the pleural space. The diagnostic significance of EPEs is still a matter of debate. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to systematically review the medical literature to evaluate the diagnostic significance of EPEs. METHODS Electronic datab...

About 20% of hospitalized patients with bacterial pneumonia have an accompanying pleural effusion. Parapneumonic effusions (PPE) are associated with a considerable morbidity and mortality. The main decision in managing a patient with a PPE is whether to insert a chest tube (complicated PPE). Imaging (i.e., chest radiograph, ultrasound and computed tomography) and pleural fluid analysis (i.e., p...