title: Pleural tuberculosis in children.
abstract: Pleural tuberculosis effusion (PTE) in children is a diagnosis which must be considered in isolated pleural effusions in non-toxemic children. It is more common in children over 5 years of age. A history of close contact with an adult with pulmonary tuberculosis reinforces the suspicion for its diagnosis. Pleural effusion without any parenchymal lesion is the characteristic finding on the chest x-ray. However, in 20% to 40% of patients, intrathoracic disease may also occur. Adenosine deaminase, interferon-gamma, analysis of pleural fluid and pleural biopsy are the main tools for diagnostic confirmation. Tuberculin skin test may provide supporting evidence of tuberculous infection. PTE has a good prognosis in children and no long term sequelae are expected.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde Porto Alegre, Rua coronel Bordini 830/509, CEP 90440-003. gbuenof@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Gilberto B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Cristiano Feijó
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: João Bonfadini
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*