Vnitr Lek 2008, 54(3):265-272

Laboratory diagnostics of pleural effusion

P. Jakubec*, K. Palatka, T. Jakubcová, V. Kolek
Klinika plicních nemocí a tuberkulózy Lékařské fakulty UP a FN Olomouc, přednosta prof. MUDr. Vítězslav Kolek, CSc.

Pleural effusion is a frequent reason for a pulmonologist's investigation. Many pulmonary and extrapulmonary causes of pleural effusion exist. Heart failure, pneumonia and malignancies are the most frequent among them. Laboratory examination of pleural liquid is a corner stone of diagnostics. We use various biochemical, microbiological, cytologic and other methods. The first step is a differentiation between transudate and exudate. If the laboratory examinations are unsuccessful, we can use invasive procedures - pleural biopsy and thoracoscopy. Despite all modern diagnostic methods the causes of about 15 % pleural effusions remain unclear.

Keywords: pleural effusion; thoracocentesis; laboratory diagnostics; transudate; exudate

Received: December 4, 2007; Accepted: January 14, 2008; Published: March 1, 2008  Show citation

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Jakubec P, Palatka K, Jakubcová T, Kolek V. Laboratory diagnostics of pleural effusion. Vnitr Lek. 2008;54(3):265-272.
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