Pleural effusion.
Pleural effusion unassociated with other radiologic evidence of disease is a challenging diagnostic problem. With small effusion, only silhouetting of the diaphragm may be noted. A lateral decubitus view will often be helpful. After a careful history, physical examination and selected hematologic studies, diagnostic thoracentesis is indicated. The following determinations on the fluid may be useful: color, character, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, amylase and cytology. Pleural biopsy may be helpful with tuberculosis and malignancy.
D000328:Adult; D003116:Color; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011859:Radiography; D013046:Specific Gravity
D011506:Proteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005947:Glucose