Sajjad Ali, Muhammad Abbas, Shahzaib.
Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting with pleural effusion to Mardan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pak J Chest Med Jan ;27(3):140-5.

Background: Collection of abnormal amount of fluid in pleura space is referred to as pleural effusion. Etiology of pleural effusion is very wide, varying in different areas suggesting the role of environmental and geographical factors. Objective: The aim of study was to look in to the different causes of pleural effusions in patients presenting to chest outpatient department in mardan medical complex. Methodology: This Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Department of Pulmonology and Medicine (medical B unit) of Mardan Medical Complex (MMC) from January 2018 to December 2019. Data was collected by non-probability convenience sampling technique.202 patients were included in study. Diagnosis of effusion was confirmed by chest radiography and where needed with chest ultrasound. Pleura fluid was aspirated in all cases. Pleural fluid analysis was then followed by the relevant investigations like pleural fluid cytology, culture, pleural biopsy, computer tomoghraphy, echocardiography and connective tissue profile for diagnosis of underlying cause of pleural effusion. Results: Out of 202 patients 145, (73 %) were male and 57 (26 %) were female. Mean age of patients was 44 .8 years with + 19.832 SD. Among patients with pleural effusion the most common cause was tuberculosis (65.3%), followed by Para pneumonic effusion/empyema (11.4%), malignancy both metastatic and primary accounted for (15%), heart failure also showed its presence in 5% of cases. Connective tissue disorder was found to be the cause in only one case (0.5%). In one case (0.5%) pleural effusion remained undiagnosed. Conclusion: Tuberculous pleural effusion is the most common cause of pleural effusion. Less common causes include parapneumonic effusion, malignant effusion and cardiac failure.

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