[Laboratory diagnostics of pleural effusion].
Pleural effusion is a frequent reason for a pulmonologist's investigation. Many pulmonary and extrapulmonary causes of pleural effusion exist. Heart failure, pneumonia and malignancies are the most frequent among them. Laboratory examination of pleural liquid is a corner stone of diagnostics. We use various biochemical, microbiological, cytologic and other methods. The first step is a differentiation between transudate and exudate. If the laboratory examinations are unsuccessful, we can use invasive procedures - pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy. Despite all modern diagnostic methods the causes of about 15% pleural effusions remain unclear.
Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy Lékarské fakulty UP a FN, Olomouc. jakubecp@fnol.cz
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D006801:Humans; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology