RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Thoracoscopic findings of undeterminate eosinophilic pleural effusion
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p593
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Kostas Archontogeorgis
A1 Stavros Anevlavis
A1 Pavlos Zarogoulidis
A1 Kailash Nath Gupta
A1 Demosthenes Bouros
A1 Marios Froudarakis
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p593.abstract
AB Background: An etiologic diagnosis cannot be established in 14% of eosinophilic pleural effusions, and these cases are referred as idiopathic. Yet, thoracoscopic diagnostic approach in this entity has never been studied. The aim of our study is to assess thoracoscopic findings in patients with undeterminate eosinophilic pleural effusion.Methods: We studied all patients with undeterminate eosinophilic pleural effusion during the last 4 years among 168 patients who underwent medical thoracoscopy for diagnosis. Pleural effusion was considered eosinophilic when contained more than 10% of eosinophils. Effusion was classified as idiopathic if no aetiology could be assigned during evaluation. All patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, 12 months.Results: Patients with undiagnosed eosinophilic effusion were 8 (4.5%). Pleural eosinophilic count ranged from 10% to 59%. Macroscopical examination of the pleura during medical thoracoscopy demonstrated diffuse thickening, associating to inflammation in six patients and scattered nodules in two. Microscopical examination of pleural biopsies evidenced non-specific inflammation with eosinophilic predominance in all of our patients. Specific diagnosis was not identified in all cases. None of the patients received any specific treatment during the follow-up period. No relapse of pleural effusion was recorded.Conclusion: Idiopathic eosinophilic pleural effusions are associated with nonspecific eosinophilic inflammation of the pleura. They usually follow a benign course with a resolution within a year without the administration of any specific therapy and a conservative approach with observational follow up is recommended.