Currently, new biomarkers like N-Terminal-Pro-B-Type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) have been used in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions. In our study, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP, especially in cardiac originated pleural effusions. Forty-five patients with pleural effusions were included in the study. NT-proBNP levels and biochemical markers involved...

An elderly patient, with a history of depression with psychosis, presented with breathlessness, a right exudative pleural effusion and a peripheral eosinophilia. The pleural fluid was eosinophil-rich (10% of leucocytes). Olanzapine therapy had been commenced 12 months previously. There was a family history of TB and the patient was of African origin. A full diagnostic work-up ensued including c...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Pleural effusion is a common occurrence in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). In developing countries, many effusions remain undiagnosed after pleural fluid analysis (PFA) and patients are empirically treated with antitubercular therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of adenosine deaminase (ADA), nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT...

from nontuberculous effusions by measuring pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA),4’ lysozyme (LZ),6 and interferon-gamma (IFG)7; these biochemical compounds are elevated in tuberculous effusions depending on the size of the effusion, although there is an overlap in the pleural concentrations of ADA and LZ.3 We reasoned that the pleural alkaline phosphatase concentration would be a useful means of d...

Controversy exists regarding the clinical utility of pleural fluid pH, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose for identifying complicated parapneumonic effusions that require drainage. In this report, we performed a meta-analysis of pertinent studies, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) techniques, to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these tests, to determine appropriate decision t...

Pleural empyema remains a significant medical problem today because of its significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalisation, and increased risk of death. The aim of this research was to share our experience in creating an animal model of pleural empyema. The model of pleural empyema appears suitable for studies on the different methods used in the treatment of empyema and in the investigation o...

catheter pleurodesis in the treatment of malignant effusions. Chest 1986; 89:482S 6 Mitchell ME, Avery JA, Alberts WM, Goldman AL. Drainage of pleural effusions with a percutaneous pneumothorax catheter. Chest 1986; 89:482S 7 Sahn SA, Good JT. The effect ofcommon sclerosing agents on the rabbit pleural space. Am Rev Respir Dis 1981; 124:65-67 8 Cannon WB, Wolfe WG. Chest tube placement for pneu...

INTRODUCTION We present two cases with symptoms of progressively worsening cough, dyspnea, decreased exercise tolerance and right-sided back pain in the first case and upper respiratory symptoms characterized by cough and a low grade fever in the second case. METHODS Report of two cases. RESULTS The initial chest X-ray in both the cases showed pleural effusion. Further imaging with computed...

The antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test has been a cornerstone of the evaluation of connective tissue disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the ANA test in pleural or pericardial effusions of unknown causes. Over a 3-yr period, a total of 126 pleural fluid and 30 pericardial fluid samples were analysed. ANA tests were performed using a commercially available ki...

The aim of this study was to investigate the value and significance of interleukin-8 in differentiation of uncomplicated parapneumonic effusion (UCPPE) from complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). Using an IMMULITE 1000 Analyzer, with chemiluminescent immunometric assay, levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured in the pleural fluid of patients with UCPPE (n=30), and CPPE (n=30), and thre...