title: Diagnostic work-up of pleural effusions.
abstract: A wide range of diseases may be the cause of an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. Pleural effusion is a major diagnostic problem, since the pleura is an inner cavity with no direct access. The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach to the investigation of the patient presenting with pleural effusion. This should help to accurately diagnose pleural effusion and keep time-consuming, but necessary, invasive investigations to the minimum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumonology, Medical School of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. mfroud@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Marios E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Froudarakis
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000166:cytology / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers