RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Usefulness of semiflexble thoracoscopy under local anesthesia for patients with unknown pleural effusion
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P3354
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Yuichi Yamada
A1 Gen Yamada
A1 Hirotaka Nishikiori
A1 Koji Kuronuma
A1 Mitsuo Otsuka
A1 Hiroki Takahashi
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3354.abstract
AB Background: Pleural effusion may arise from a wide range of diseases. However, it is difficult to make a diagnosis by thoracocentesis or needle biopsy. Recently, semiflexible thoracoscopy has been performed under local anesthesia for diagnosis or treatment of pleural diseases.Objectives: To determine the benefit and safety of the thoracoscopy for the diagnosis of unknown pleural effusion or the treatment of pleural diseases.Method: Between April 2001 and June 2011, we performed the thoracoscopy in 39 patients (31 men and 8 women) who could not be diagnosed by cytologic and bacteriologic examinations of pleural effusion by thoracocentesis. We used a semiflexible thoracoscope (LFT 240; Olympus Medical Systems Co., Tokyo, Japan) for the observations of pleural cavity, and obtained pleural biopsies from abnormal areas of parietal pleura.Results: We underwent semiflexble thoracoscopy in 29 patients for diagnosis of pleural diseases and 22 cases were provided the pathological diagnosis (6 pleuritis carcinomatosa, 2 malignant mesothelioma, 1 synobital sarcoma, 7 empyema, 3 tuberculous pleural effusion, 2 rheumatoid arthritis and 1 sarcoidosis). In addition, semiflexible thoracoscopy was performed for the treatment in 10 cases with acute or chronic empyema for the purpose of detachment of fibrin, destruction and removal of the septum.Conclusions: Semiflexible thoracoscopy under local anesthesia can be safely performed by pulmonary physicians. It is considered an easy and useful examination for the diagnosis of pleural diseases.