conclusions this is the first case report of a vanishing tumor in the right pulmonary apex. case presentation such masses have been designated as vanishing tumors of the lung. it is extremely rare that a vanishing tumor occurs in the apex of the lung. introduction in patients with acute heart failure, pleural fluid localized in an inter-pleural fissure produces a mass on chest x-ray, which mimi...

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (TB) using routinely available diagnostic methods is challenging due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease. Histopathology and pleural tissue TB culture involves an invasive procedure which requires expertise and appropriate equipment, both often unavailable in many health units. Xpert MTB/Rif test has been widely evaluated in sputum specimens ...

background: the alteration of th1 and th2 cytokine levels is the subject of controversy in pleural effusions caused by malignancy, a situation that favors a th2 immune response. objective: to examine the different levels of il-4 and il-10 (th2 cytokines), and il-2 and interferon-γ (ifn-γ) (th1 cytokines) in malignant and non-malignant pleural effusions. method: the cytokine levels in pleural fl...

Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells that mainly affects bone marrow. Pleural effusions secondary to pleural myelomatous involvement have rarely been reported in the literature. As it is rarely detected, we aimed to report a case in which pleural effusion of a multiple myeloma was confirmed as true myelomatous involvement by flow cytometry method. A 52-years old man pre...

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...

In differential diagnosis of pleural effusions, cytology is the most sensitive method. Since cytology findings are positive in half of such fluids, combined use of reliable tumor marker and cytology is a logical approach. Sialic acid and other tumor markers can be reliable substances associated with neoplasia. The present study measured sialic acid levels in pleural effusion and serum samples o...

In this issue of the Journal, MISEROCCHI [1] starts our series of articles on the pleura with a review of the physiology and the pathophysiology of the pleural space. In forthcoming months this series will cover a wide range of issues on pleural diseases. We have seen much progress in basic research as well as changing standards in the diagnosis and management of pleural disorders in recent yea...

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) and ST2, which are biomarkers of myocyte stress, for diagnosing pleural effusions due to heart failure (HF). BNP and ST2 have not been previously evaluated in pleural fluid. METHODS The three biomarkers were measured in the pleural flu...

unilateral malignant pleural effusion as an initial manifestation that leads to the diagnosis of an underlying acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a rare event. early and accurate diagnosis of this case is important for prompt and adequate therapy. we present the case of an18-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with severe respiratory distress. chest x-ray revealed a unilateral ...