TY - JOUR T1 - Tuberculous pleural effusion JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P2809 AU - Liza Ahmad Fisal AU - Mona Zaria Nasaruddin AU - Aziah Ahmad Mahayiddin Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2809.abstract N2 - Introduction: Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is the second commonest form of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Non-empyematous TPE is due to delayed hypersensitive reaction1 thus pleural effusion acid fast bacilli direct smears and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures are inherently negative. This presents a diagnostic dilemma with a subsequent delay in diagnosis and management.Objective: To determine the demographics, clinical presentation, radiological and pleural fluid/biopsy characteristics of TPEs managed at out centre.Method: Patients diagnosed with TPE from January to December 2012 were included. Data was collected from case notes.Results: A total of 31 patients with a median age of 29 years were included with 77.4% men and 22.6% women. Risk factors were present in 64.5% of patients. Common presentations were fever (93.5%), cough (87.1%) and weight loss (83.9%) with a median duration of 30 days. Right-sided pleural effusions were commoner and 30% had lung parenchymal involvement. All the effusions were exudative with 90% lymphocytic. Seven (22.6%) had a definite diagnosis of TPE based on histopathology examination and microbiology. Nine (29%) had a concurrent diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusion: The analysis of demographics, clinical presentation, radiological and pleural fluid/biopsy characteristics is vital in the diagnosis of TPE. The low median age at presentation together with the absence of lung parenchymal involvement in approximately 70% of our patients suggest that the majority of TPE were a primary form of tuberculosis.1. Leibowitz S et al. The tuberculin reaction in the pleural cavity and its suppression by antilymphocyte serum. Br J Exp Pathol 1973;54(2):152. ER -