Comparative study of detection of cytopathology,CEA and FT in benign and malignant pleural effusion

Objective To investigate the ways of cytopathology,CEA and FT in diagnosing benign and malignant pleural effusion.Methods 48 cases diagnosed as malignant pleural effusion and 32 cases of benign pleural effusion were reviewed and compared by clinical observations,chest X-ray and CT,level of CEA and FT in pleural effusion and serum.Results 40 of 48 cases diagnosed as malignant pleural effusion and 8 of 32 as benign pleural effusion were bloody pleural fluid.The levels of CEA and FT in malignant pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in serum(P0.05),and higher than those in tuberculosis pleural effusion(P0.05).Conclusions Cytopathology can make a confirmed diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.Evaluation of CEA and FT in pleural effusion can improve the differential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion from benign pleural effusion and significantly increase the sensitivity of diagnosis.