https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2021.1554

Diagnostic accuracy of semirigid thoracoscopy in exudative pleural effusions and relationship of thoracoscopic findings with probability of malignant diagnosis

Vol. 91 No. 3 (2021)
Submitted: August 7, 2020
Accepted: April 13, 2021
Published: May 26, 2021
Thoracoscopy, pleural effusion, exudative, malignant
Abstract Views: 1069
PDF: 357
Supplementary Fig 1: 150
Supplementary Fig 2: 137
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Authors

Ashok Kuwal
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4821-1432
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur, India.
Manish Advani
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur, India.
Naveen Dutt
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur , India.
Seemant Saini
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3337-7157
Department of Pathology, Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur, India.
Surjit Singh
ss.sehmby@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8990-3235
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, India.

Semirigid thoracoscopy is increasingly becoming the procedure of choice for evaluation of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions. Few studies have reported relationship of thoracoscopic appearances of pleural abnormalities and etiological diagnoses. We aimed our study to assess the diagnostic utility and safety of semirigid thoracoscopy for evaluation of patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. Further, we also pursued to find any relation of various thoracoscopic findings with the final diagnosis. We prospectively enrolled hospitalized patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion who underwent semirigid thoracoscopy. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data along with data on thoracoscopic appearance of various pleural abnormalities and histopathological diagnosis of pleural biopsy specimens were collected and analysed. Semirigid thoracoscopy was diagnostic in 46 (N=55) patients (83.64%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 31 patients (56.36%), of which adenocarcinoma was the most common histopathological diagnosis (45.16%).  Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV LR+ and LR- of thoracoscopy were 93.87%, 100%, 100%, 66.67%, 40.30 and 0.06, respectively. Pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid significantly increased the diagnosis yield of malignancy [OR= 37.16 (95%CI = 3.61-382.65),  =0.002]. The procedure related complications were mild and transient. Post- procedural pain (20%) was most commonly reported followed by dry cough (18.18%), sub-cutaneous emphysema (7.27%) and anaesthesia related complication (1.82%). Semirigid thoracoscopy is simple, safe and effective procedure in diagnosing exudative pleural effusion of unknown etiology with high diagnostic accuracy and minor procedure related complications. The likelihood of diagnosing malignancy is high if combination of pleural nodules, masses and hemorrhagic pleural fluid is present.

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How to Cite

Kuwal, Ashok, Manish Advani, Naveen Dutt, Seemant Saini, and Surjit Singh. 2021. “Diagnostic Accuracy of Semirigid Thoracoscopy in Exudative Pleural Effusions and Relationship of Thoracoscopic Findings With Probability of Malignant Diagnosis”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 91 (3). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2021.1554.
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