title: Closed pleural biopsy to diagnose mesothelioma: dead or alive?
abstract: This letter explores the role of closed pleural biopsy in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Through retrospective analysis of local data, we found that closed pleural biopsy had a sensitivity of 44% in the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. It should therefore still be considered as a first line investigation in suspected mesothelioma especially in centres where CT-guided or thoracoscopic pleural biopsy are not immediately available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK. k.mclaughlin@nhs.net
authors.forename: Kris M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Graeme P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity