Etiologic diagnosis of pleural effusion by punch biopsy of the parietal pleura

Abstract

Needle biopsy of the pleura using Harefield pleural biopsy punch, has been performed in 100 subjects, 58 of whom were 40 years of age or over, in order to arrive at a histologic diagnosis. Ancillary investigations such as bronchoscopy and lymph node biopsy have been done where necessary and feasible. In 18 of the 58 in the older age group and in 15 of the 42 in the younger age group, the biopsy showed lesions suggestive of tuberculous infection; 13 in the older age group and two in the other showed evidence of malignancy; 23 in the older and 21 in the younger group showed nonspecific changes. Vegetative forms of Entamoeba histolytica were demonstrated in the biopsy material in one case. Biopsy, performed on one occasion only was a failure in five cases. No untoward effects were noticed as a consequence of the procedure.