title: [Collection and preservation of the pleural fluid and pleural biopsy].
abstract: The samples of pleural fluid obtained by thoracentesis for the diagnosis of transudates and exudates shall follow a routine of collection and preservation for an appropriate laboratorial analysis. Equally, fragments of pleura biopsy obtained for the differential diagnosis of the exudates should be collected in a systematic way in order to optimize the diagnosis and facilitate the institution of appropriate therapeutics actions.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. l.antonangelo@hcnet.usp.br
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antonangelo
authors.forename: Vera Luiza
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Capelozzi
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000379:methods*; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods*