International Journal of Current Research in Biology and Medicine

Background: Pleural effusion is a common condition in pulmonary medicine. Determining the cause of the pleural effusion is a difficult task. The distinction between an exudate and a transudate is the first and the most important step in the differential diagnosis of a pleural effusion. Light’s criterion have been previously used for classifying pleural effusion. There are multiple other biochemical markers which are available, the diagnostic accuracy of which is not well established and is a subject of debate. Aim: To compare the diagnostic value of the pleural fluid cholesterol, ratio of Pleural Fluid Protein/ Total Serum Protein in differentiating the pleural fluid into transudate and exudate. Materials & Methods: A total of 25 cases of pleural effusion due to different diseases were analysed using certain biochemical parameters like pleural fluid cholesterol, pleural fluid protein & its ratio with serum values were analysed. Result: The pleural fluid protein, its ratio to serum protein and pleural fluid cholesterol had excellent diagnostic accuracy in differentiating exudative pleural effusions from transudative effusions. Conclusion: The determination of pCHOL is of great value for distinguishing between pleural exudates and transudates and should be included in routine laboratory analysis of pleural effusion. The pleural fluid to serum protein ratio and pleural fluid cholesterol had excellent diagnostic accuracy in classifying the pleural fluid type.