Flexible electron-assisted thoracoscopy for diagnosis of 285 patients with pleural effusions of unknown causes

【Objective】To evaluate the value of flexible electron-assisted thoracoscopy for the diagnosis of pleural effusions of unknown causes and to analyze the etiopathogenesis.【Methods】The results of flexible electron-assisted thoracoscopy in 285 patients with the pleural effusions of unknown causes and biopsy were retrospectively analyzed.【Results】The diagnoses were determined in 269 of the 285 patients by flexible electron-assisted thoracoscopy and pathological biopsy with positive rate of 94.39%.Tuberculosis(89.66%) was more common in youth group;pleural tumors(63.44%) were frequent in middle and old-aged groups.Metastatic pleural tumors were characterized by scattered sarcoidosis and mass on parietal pleura and diaphragmatic pleura,but fibrinous adhesion was very rare.pleural mesothelioma manifested as diffused pleural congestion and thickening,and scattered sarcoidosis and mass on the parietal pleura.Tuberculous pleuritis presented miliary tubercles on the basis of diffused congestive and thickening parietal pleura and diaphragmatic pleura,in some parts cheesy necrosis could be found,fibrinous adhesion was common,the foci the most significantly distributed on posterior and lower parietal pleura and costophrenic angle.Non-specific inflammation included diffuse congestion,edema and thickening of parietal pleura.【Conclusion】Flexible electron-assisted thoracoscopy plays an important role in diagnosing pleural effusions of unknown causes,its operation is very easy without serious complications,patients' compliance is very well.