title: Pleural effusions. 1. Preliminary evaluation--recognition of the transudate.
abstract: Part 1 of this two-part article describes how to document the presence and location of pleural effusion, perform thoracentesis, and differentiate transudates from exudates. If the pleural fluid is found to be a transudate, no further tests are indicated. Part 2, starting on page 181, details pleural fluid analysis, describes pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy, and presents a clinical strategy for evaluating pleural effusion.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004322:Drainage; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011859:Radiography; D013046:Specific Gravity; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase