Derrame pleural tras la cirugía de revascularización mediante derivación aortocoronaria

Advances in pleural effusion diagnostics

Introduction: Pleural effusion is a common clinical problem. Yet, in a significant proportion of patients (~20%), the cause of pleural effusion remains unknown. Understanding the diagnostic value of pleural fluid tests is crucial for the development of accurate diagnostic models.Areas covered: This paper provides an overview of latest advances in the diagnosis of pleural effusion based on the best evidence available.Expert opinion: For pleural fluid tests to have a good diagnostic value, it is necessary that data obtained from clinical history, physical examination, and radiological studies are correctly interpreted. Thoracentesis and pleural biopsy should always be performed under image guidance to improve its diagnostic sensitivity and prevent complications. Nucleic acid amplification tests, pleural tissue cultures, and collection of pleural fluid in blood culture bottles improve the diagnostic yield of pleural fluid cultures. Although undiagnosed pleural effusions generally have a favorable prognosis, follow-up is recommended to prevent the development of a malignant pleural effusion.

Tuberculous pleural effusion

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Spain, and is one of the most frequent causes of pleural effusion. Although the incidence has steadily declined (4.8 cases/100,000population in 2009), the percentage of TBPE remains steady with respect to the total number of TB cases (14.3%-19.3%). Almost two thirds are men, more than 60% are aged between 15-44years, and it is more common in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. The pathogenesis is usually a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Symptoms vary depending on the population (more acute in young people and more prolonged in the elderly). The effusion is almost invariably a unilateral exudate (according to Light's criteria), more often on the right side, and the tuberculin test is negative in one third of cases. There are limitations in making a definitive diagnosis, so various pleural fluid biomarkers have been used for this. The combination of adenosine deaminase and lymphocyte percentage may be useful in this respect. Treatment is the same as for any TB. The addition of corticosteroids is not advisable, and chest drainage could help to improve symptoms more rapidly in large effusions.

Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion. Update

Although during the last few years there have been several important changes in the diagnostic or therapeutic methods, pleural effusion is still one of the diseases that the respiratory specialist have to evaluate frequently. The aim of this paper is to update the knowledge about pleural effusions, rather than to review the causes of pleural diseases exhaustively. These recommendations have a longer extension for the subjects with a direct clinical usefulness, but a slight update of other pleural diseases has been also included. Among the main scientific advantages are included the thoracic ultrasonography, the intrapleural fibrinolytics, the pleurodesis agents, or the new pleural drainages techniques.