Muhammad Khurram, Asif Hussain Jaffery, Hamama tul Bushra Khar, M Farooq Malik, Umar Farooq Burki, Burhan Ahmed Khan, Akhter Ali.
Evaluation of Lymphocytic Exudative Pleural Effusion with Pleural Biopsy.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;12(2):74-7.

Objective: Evaluation of lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion by histopathological examination of pleural biopsy in patients with suspected tuberculous or malignant pleural effusion. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Pulmonology Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad and DHQ Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi for two years 1999-2000. Subjects and Methods: A total of 120 patients with exudative pleural effusion underwent closed pleural biopsy with Abram`s needle in standard way. Average 4 biopsy specimens were obtained in each patient which were examined histopathologically. Patients in whom a definite diagnosis was not possible were further investigated with repeat pleural biopsy, sputum examinations, bronchoscopy etc. Results: Definite histopathological diagnosis with pleural biopsy was possible in 59 (49.16%) patients, including 13 diagnosed on repeat pleural biopsy. Two commonest diagnoses made were tuberculosis and adenocarcinoma, 64.40% and 13.55% respectively. Conclusion: Histopathological evaluation of pleural biopsy specimens can lead to diagnosis in 49.16% patients with exudative lymphocytic pleural effusion.

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