Analysis of thoracoscopy in 224 cases

[Objective] To evaluate the diagnosing value of thoracoscopy in the pleural effusion of unknown reason. [Methods] Thoracoscopy was down in 224 pleural effusion patients of unknown reason. To observe the under thoracoscopic presentations and take the illness tissues under direct view for histopathologic examination. [Results] The under thoracoscopic presentations could be divided into 5 types, they are pleural congestion and edema in 34 cases (15.2%), greyish white military diffused nodes in 49 cases (21.9%), single or multi nodes in 113 cases (50.4%), pleural thickness and fibrostic septa or adhesion in 9 cases (4.0%), no obviously abnormal in 19 cases (8.5%). The diagnostic rate of thoracoscopy was 83.9%. There were 126 malignant cases (56.2%) in the diagnosed patients. Among them, metastasis of lung cancer 126 cases (adenocarcinoma 81 cases, squamous cell lung cancer 13 cases, small cell lung cancer 5 cases), malignant mesothelioma 9 cases, pleural metastasis from breast cancer 6 cases, from stomach cancer 4 cases, lymphoma 3 cases, from carcinoma of rectum 2 cases, from hygiene carcinoma of kidney 1case, from carcinoma of ovary 1 case, leukemia 1 case. There were 62 benign cases (27.7%) in the diagnosed patients. Among them, tuberculous pleurisy 52 cases, chronic inflammation 9 cases, sarcoidosis 1 case. There were no severe complications. [Conclusion] Thoracoscopy is a safe and high diagnostic rate method in unknown reason pleural effusions.