Clinical and pathological features of tuberculous pleural effusion and its long-term consequences

A retrospective study of 83 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion showed that the mean age of the patients was 44 years and 10 patients (12%) were over the age of 70. Pleural fluid was smear positive for tubercle bacilli in none but culture positive in 23% of the cases. Pleural biopsy was a more sen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inRespiration Vol. 58; no. 3-4; p. 171
Main Authors Chan, C H, Arnold, M, Chan, C Y, Mak, T W, Hoheisel, G B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland 1991
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pleura - pathology
Pleural Effusion - diagnosis
Pleural Effusion - etiology
Pleural Effusion - pathology
Pleural Effusion - therapy
Tissue Adhesions - pathology
Tuberculosis, Pleural - complications
Tuberculosis, Pleural - diagnosis
Tuberculosis, Pleural - therapy
Online AccessGet more information
ISSN0025-7931
DOI10.1159/000195921

Cover

More Information
Summary:A retrospective study of 83 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion showed that the mean age of the patients was 44 years and 10 patients (12%) were over the age of 70. Pleural fluid was smear positive for tubercle bacilli in none but culture positive in 23% of the cases. Pleural biopsy was a more sensitive method of diagnosis with granulomatous inflammation seen in 97% of cases. Five patients developed significant pleural thickening during chemotherapy requiring decortication. Twenty-two patients with tuberculous effusion diagnosed and treated over 2 years previously were traced for reassessment. None of them had significant pleural thickening and lung function tests did not show significant impairment compared to matched control subjects.
ISSN:0025-7931
DOI:10.1159/000195921