• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.899-906
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• 1997

Background : The percutaneous pleural needle biopsy have been regarded as cornerstone in the diagnosis of lymphocyte dominant pleural effusions of which acid fast bacilli smear and cytologic exam was negative. However, the complications of percutaneous pleural needle biopsy is not rare and its diagnostic efficacy is not always satisfactory. Recently, pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are widely accepted as markers of tuberculous pleurisy and malignant pleural effusion respectively. We designed this study to re-evaluate the role of percutaneous pleural needle biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusions whose AFB smear, cytologic exam was negative. Method : Retrospective analysis of 73 cases of percutaneous pleural needle biopsy in case of lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusions whose AFB smear and cytoloic exam was negative from Jan 1994 to Feb 1996 was done. Result : In 35 cases, specific diagnosis was obtained(all cases were tuberculous pleurisy), and in 30 cases specific diagnosis was not obtained in spite of getting adequate pleural tissues, and in the other 8 cases, percutaneous pleural biopsy failed to get pleural tissues. In 9 cases, complications were combined including pneuomothorax and hemothorax. All 49 cases of pleural effusions whose ADA value was higher than 40IU/L and satisfying other categories were finally diagnosed as tuberculous pleurisy, however, the pleural biopsy confirmed only 28 cases as tuberculous pleurisy. In 6 cases of pleural effusions of which CEA value is higher than 10ng/ml, the pleural biopsy made specific diagnosis in no case. Final diagnosis of above 6 cases consisted of 4 malignant effusions, 1 malignancy associated effusion and 1 tuberculous pleurisy. Conclusion : In the diagnosis of 73 cases of lymphocyte dominant pleural effusions of which acid fast bacilli smear and cytologic exam was negative, percutaneous pleural biopsy diagnosed only in 35 cases. In the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy, the positive predictive value of higher ADA than 40 IU/L in lymphocyte dominant pleural effusion with negative AFB smear and negative cytologic exam was 100%. And the diagnostic efficacy of pleural biopsy was 57%. In cases of effusions with high CEA than 10ng/ml 83% and 0% respectively. Finally, we concluded that percutaneous pleural needle biopsy in the diagnosis of AFB smear negative and cytologic exam negative lymphocyte dominant exudative pleural effusion was not obligatory. especially in effusions with high ADA and low CEA value.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.492-498
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• 2007

Background: Malignant pleural effusion is a common condition in neoplastic patients and palliative therapy is the usual treatment. Talc has been generally accepted to be the most effective sclerosant for chemical pleurodesis, but the optimal route of administration remains controversy. We compared the results of video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage (VTP) with administering a bedside talc slurry through a chest tube (BTS) for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. Material and Method: From December 2004 to May 2006, 20 patients with malignant pleural effusion underwent chemical pleurodesis via VTP (group A, n=10), and BTS (group B, n=10). Result: The durations of chest tube placement after the procedure were $7.0{\pm}4.0$ days (group A) and $6.7{\pm}3.6$ days (group B). The hospital stays were $24.3{\pm}9.4$ days (group A) and $30.7{\pm}21.5$ days (group B), respectively. The symptoms of dyspnea were much more improved in group A (p-value=0.014) after discharge (mean f/u group $A=8.5{\pm}2.2$ months, group B $8.0{\pm}7.4$ months). The collapsed portions of lung were better expanded in group A than in group B (p-value=0.011). Conclusion: We recommend VTP for the selected patients with malignant pleural effusion because of the advantages of dissecting the fibrous peel to relieve the atelectasis and dyspnea, and excising the pleura for diagnosis with direct viewing of the lesion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.314-317
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• 2008

We report the patient presented with a left-sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis revealed lymphocyte-dominant exudates with lower level of adenosine deaminase and negative cytologic malignancy. Thoracoscopic examination and histologic examination revealed metastatic nodules on pleurae, proven to be from the papillary thyroid cancer. There were no other sites of distant metastases. Though papillary thyroid cancer is characterized with slow progression and relatively good prognosis, metastatic pleural effusion as an initial manifestation of undiagnosed papillary thyroid cancer can be considered.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3495-3499
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of interleukin 21(IL-21) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) and malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Pleural effusion samples from 103 patients were classified on the basis of diagnosis as TPE (n=51) and MPE (n=52). The concentration of IL-21 was determined by ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), adenosine dehydrogenase (ADA) and CEA levels were also determined in all patients. A significant difference was observed in the levels of ADA and CEA (P<0.01), but not in the levels of LDH (P>0.05) between TPE and MPE. The concentration of IL-21 in MPE was significantly higher compared to TPE (P<0.01). With a threshold value of 4.32 pg/ml, IL-21 had a sensitivity of 76.9% (40/52) and a specificity of 80.4% (41/51). Combined detection of IL-21 and CEA had a sensitivity of 69.2% (36/52) and a specificity of 92.2% (47/51). These two markers can contribute to the differential diagnosis of MPEs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2002

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a malignant soft tissue neoplasm that occurs frequently in the metaphyseal ends of the long bones of adults. The lung is a common site for metastasis but it is a rare site for a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Here we report a case of a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung. The patient was a 53-year-old man who presented with a moderate amount of a left pleural effusion and an illdefined mass in the left lower lobe on a chest radiograph and a local invasion to the left 10th and 11th rib on chest CT. Under the strong suspicion of lung cancer with a pleural invasion, a serial diagnostic thoracentesis was performed. The cytologic examination of the pleural effusion revealed no malignant cells. Consequently, a thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was performed. The histological examination revealed slender spindle cells and scattered epitheloid cells arranged in a vague storiform or a whirling pattern. Immunohistochemicaily, the tumor cells tested positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, CD 34 and PAS. These features were consistent with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. This case is an unusual addition to the small number of published reports on a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.695-702
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• 1995

Background: Since polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was devised by Saiki in 1985, it has been used extensively in various fields of molecular biology. Clinically, PCR is especially useful in situation when microbiological or serological diagnosis is limited by scanty amount of causative agents. Thus, PCR can provide rapid and sensitive way of detecting M. tuberculosis in tuberculosis pleurisy which is diagnosed in only about 60 % of cases by conventional method. Method: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of PCR in tuberculosis pleurisy, The results of PCR was compared with those of conventional method, including pleural biopsy. The pleural effusion fluid was collected from 7 proven patients, 7 clinically suspected patients and control group(7 patients with malignant effusion). We extracted DNA from pleural fluid by modified method of Eisennach method(1991). The amplification target for PCR was 123 base pair DNA, a part of IS6110. Result: 1) Sensitivity of PCR: We detected upto 50fg DNA. 2) In patients with pleural effusion of proven tuberculosis, the positive rate of PCR was 85.7%(6/7). In patients with pleural effusion of clinically suspected tuberculosis, the positive rate was 71.5%(5/7). In control group, positive rate was 0%(0/7). Conclusion: We concluded that PCR method could be a very rapid, sensitive and specific one for diagnosis of M tuberculosis in pleural effusion. Further studies should be followed for the development of easier method.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.116-124
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• 1995

Eighty cases of malignant effusion were cytologically studied to elucidate the incidence of primary tumor site and cytologic characteristics of each tumor types. Eighty fluid specimens were composed of 43 ascitic, 35 pleural, and 2 pericardial effusion and primary tumor site had been confirmed by histology. The frequent primary sites were stomach(22 cases, 28%), lung(21 cases, 26%), ovary(11 cases, 14%), liver(7 cases, 9%), and breast (4 cases, 5%). The principal malignant tumors were adenocarcinoma (56 cases, 70%), squamous cell carcinoma (7 cases, 9%), liver cell carcinoma (7 cases, 9%), small cell carcinoma (4 cases, 5%), and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (4 cases, 5%). The distinctive cytologic findings according to primary tumor types were as follows; the gastric adenocarcinomas were mainly characterized by isolated cells and irregular clusters sometimes with signet ring cells. Papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary showed frequently papillary clusters and occasional psammoma bodies. Breast carcinoma of ductal type showed cell balls with smooth margins. Colonic adenocarcinoma showed rather irregular clusters or palisading pattern of cylindrical cells. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, liver cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and non-Hodgkln's lymphoma showed also characteristic features. These findings Indicate that the cytological features observed in the great majority of malignant effusion are similar to those of primary tumor types, which are very helpful to indentify the primary tumor site.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.248-254
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• 1992

Background: Pleural effusion is one of the most common clinical problems in pulmonology because of high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchogenic carcinoma in Korea. The differential diagnosis between pleural transudate and exudate is very important, but it is very difficult in some cases. Methods: In order to assess the clinical usefulness of cholesterol levels for the differential diagnosis of pleural transudate and exudate, we measured pleural fluid cholesterol levels by enzymatic method in 45 patients who were admitted due to pleural effusion. Results: The mean cholesterol level of transudate was $33.1{\pm}12.9\;mg%$, tuberculous exudate was $97.3{\pm}28.2\;mg%$ and malignant exudate was $97.3{\pm}28.2mg%$. When the cut-off value of pleural cholesterol level was 60 mg%, one case (6.7%) of tuberculous exudate and two cases (13.3%) of malignant exudate were incorrectly classified, but all cases of transudate were classified correctly. When the cut-off value of pleural/serum cholesterol ratio was 0.3, one case (6.7%) of transudate and two cases (13.3%) of malignant exudate were incorrectly classified, but all cases of tuberculous exudate were classified correctly. When the cut-off value of pleural cholesterol level to differentiate pleural transudate from exudate was 60 mg%, sensitivity was 90% and specificity was 100%. When the cut-off value of pleural/serum cholesterol level to differentiate pleural transudate form exuidate was 0.3, sensitivity was 93% and specifiity was 93%. Conclusions: From the above results, it can be concluded that measurement of pleural fluid cholesterol levels is useful for the differential diagnosis between pleural transudate and exudate.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.6
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• pp.320-324
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• 2012

A 55-year-old woman was admitted for an elevated serum carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) level, and a left pleural effusion, which were detected at a routine health examination. Computed tomography of the chest was performed upon admission, revealing extensive bilateral paratracheal and mediastinal lymph node enlargement with a massive left-sided pleural effusion. Subsequent analysis of the pleural fluid demonstrated consistency with an exudate, no evidence of malignant cells, and a normal adenosine deaminase. However, the pleural fluid and serum CA-125 levels were 2,846.8 U/mL and 229.5 U/mL, respectively. A positron emission tomography did not reveal any primary focus of malignancy. Finally, a surgical mediastinoscopic biopsy of several mediastinal lymph nodes was performed, revealing non-necrotizing granulomas, consistent with sarcoidosis. After a month of treatment of prednisolone, the left pleural effusion had resolved, and after 2 months the serum CA-125 level was normalized.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2013

A 61-year-old woman came to the hospital with dyspnea and pleural effusion on chest radiography. She underwent repeated thoracentesis, transbronchial lung biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage, and thoracoscopic pleural biopsy with talc pleurodesis, but diagnosis of her was uncertain. Positron emission tomography showed multiple lymphadenopathies, so she underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes. Here, we report a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma that was eventually diagnosed by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. This is an unusual and first case in Korea.