Chylous pericardial effusion may occur after cardiothoracic surgery or in association with congenital lymphangiomatosis. Other causes may include chest trauma, mediastinal radiation, malignant neoplasm of the mediastinum or thrombosis of the subclavian vein and superior vena cava [1]. Idiopathic chylopericardium has also been described, most commonly in children and young adults [1]. Cardiac ta...

Ataxia-telangiectasia, an autosomal recessive disorder caused by defect of the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene, is characterized by progressive neurologic impairment with cerebellar atrophy, ocular and cutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, heightened sensitivity to ionizing radiation and susceptibility to developing lymphoreticular malignancy. Supratentorial brain abnormalities have be...

We hypothesized that inhibition of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) accounts for a portion of the pleural fibrosis and adhesions of tetracycline pleurodesis. MMPs recently have been described in pleural fluid from patients with both exudative and transudative effusions. Since tetracyclines are recognized inhibitors of other metalloproteinases, we investigated their inhibitory capacity...

The first step in the diagnosis of pleural effusions is the distinction between exudates and transudates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of various parameters for the differentiation of pleural exudates and transudates. We recorded clinical characteristics, final diagnoses, and measured pleural fluid and serum levels of albumin, protein, LDH, cholesterol, and bilirubin of ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the usefulness of modifying Light's criteria for the separation of pleural transudates from exudates. DESIGN Retrospective review of patients who underwent a diagnostic thoracentesis during a 2-year period. SETTING Community teaching hospital in Lleida, Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical records and pleural fluid characteristics of 230 consecutive patients w...

The purpose of this present study was to differentiate transudates and exudates in pleural effusions. Oxidative stress has been associated with various respiratory disorders. Ninety patients of pleural effusions of diverse etiologies were participated in this study. Subjects underwent diagnostic thoracentesis and standard biochemical parameters (total protein, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, MD...

BACKGROUND Peritoneal tuberculosis is an important problem in regions of the world where tuberculosis is still prevalent (Chest 1991; 99:1134). Atypical presentations such as portal vein thrombosis can delay diagnosis or result in misdiagnosis (Gut 1990; 31:1130, Acta ClinBelg 2012; 67(2):137-9, J Cytol Histol 2014; 5:278, Digestive Diseases and Sciences 1991; 36(1):112-115). A high index of su...

We read with great interest the article by Alatas and coworkers (June 2004),1 who showed that serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were increased in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, compared to patients with inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and control subjects. They also showed that serum VEGF levels were statistically different before and after treatment in 10 pat...

Heart failure with massive bilateral pleural effusion (over 2 liters) is a rare occurrence that yet to be dispelled due the dearth of information on topic. The prevalence and mortality CCF are rising. Clinical features heart include dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, anorexia early satiety, pedal edema, abdominal distension/ascites, anorexia, nausea, elevated jugular venous pressure, displaced apex b...