TY - JOUR T1 - Incidence of lung entrapment in malignant pleural effusion JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P4629 AU - Imran Bin Mohamed Noor Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4629.abstract N2 - IntroductionLung entrapment is commonly seen in patients with empyema and complicated parapneumonic effusions. However, the incidence of lung entrapment is not well reported in malignant effusions. We intend to report the incident in our patient who underwent pleuroscopy in 2011.MethodA prospective observational study was performed on patients who underwent pleuroscopy in 2011 in Changi General Hospital (CGH). The findings on pleuroscopy were noted for all patients, in particular, the presence of lung entrapment. Biopsies of the parietal pleura were performed during plueroscopy. Patients with biopsies positive for malignant pleural effusion were included in our analysis.ResultsIn 2011, twenty four pleuroscopies performed in CGH. Fifteen (62.5%) were proven to have malignant pleural effusion on biopsy. Of these fifteen patients, 10 (66.7%) had lung carcinoma, 4 (26.7%) had breast carcinoma and the remaining patient (6.7%) had carcinoma of the cervix. Fourteen patients (93.3%) with malignant effusion were noted to have lung entrapment on pleuroscopy of various. Computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the lungs showed patency of the airway. However, bronchoscopy was not performed for these patients.ConclusionThe incidence of lung entrapment is high in our patients with malignant pleural effusion. This will have an impact on the long term management of such patients. Our finding would suggest that talc pleurodesis may not be the best treatment options. The use of an indwelling pleural catheter may be a better option for our patients with malignant pleural effusion. ER -