Saadia Ashraf, Amber Ashraf, Sabina A Asif.
The role of closed needle biopsy of the Pleura in exudative Pleural Effusion.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;9(2):11-6.

The objective of this study was to identify the role of closed needle biopsy of the pleura in exudative pleural effusion and confirm diagnosis by histopathology in our setup. This study was conducted at the Medical Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar over a 2-year period extending from January 1996 to February 1998. A total of 50 patients, who fulfilled the criteria of exudative pleural effusion were included in this study and underwent closed pleural biopsy using a standard method with Abram`s biopsy needle. An average of 3 biopsy specimens were obtained in each patient. These were then investigated by histopathology. Patients in whom a definite diagnosis could not be obtained were further investigated. Out of all 50 patients who underwent pleural biopsy, tissue specimen was inadequate in 2 of the cases, while the remaining 48 tissues specimens underwent histopathological analysis. The diagnosis was confirmed in 23 cases (48%), among them 13,9,1 were reported to be Tuberculous, Malignant and Rheumatoid Arthritis respectively. In the rest of the 25 (52%) specimens the report has revealed non-specific inflammation. In our series the diagnosis was confirmed in 48% of the cases which proves that closed needle biopsy is a time tested diagnostic tool and should continue to play a pivotal role in diagnosis and clinical management of the patients.

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