title: Clinical and pathological features of tuberculous pleural effusion and its long-term consequences.
abstract: A retrospective study of 83 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion showed that the mean age of the patients was 44 years and 10 patients (12%) were over the age of 70. Pleural fluid was smear positive for tubercle bacilli in none but culture positive in 23% of the cases. Pleural biopsy was a more sensitive method of diagnosis with granulomatous inflammation seen in 97% of cases. Five patients developed significant pleural thickening during chemotherapy requiring decortication. Twenty-two patients with tuberculous effusion diagnosed and treated over 2 years previously were traced for reassessment. None of them had significant pleural thickening and lung function tests did not show significant impairment compared to matched control subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hoheisel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000473:pathology; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy