Analysis of Thoracoscopy in Pleural Effusion of Unkown Reason

objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of thoracosocopy in pleural effusion of unknown reason. Methods:Eighty-five patients with plural effusion of unknown reason underwent thoracoscopy and for histopatho- logic examination.Results:Thoracoscopic presentations could be divided into 5 types,ivory,bright red miliary nodules in 38 cases(44.7%),single or multi cauliflower or papillary nodules in 34 cases(40%),pleural congestion and edama in 6 cases(7.1%),pleural thickness and formation of fibrous septa or adhesion in 4 cases(4.7%),no obvious abnormalities in 3 cases(3.5%).The accurate diagnostic rate of thoracoscopy was 91.7%.Among 32 ma- lignant cases(37.6%),there were 24 cases with metastasis of lung cancer(adenocarcinoma 20 cases,squamous cell lung cancer 3 cases,small cell lung cancer 1 case),2 cases with malignant mesothelioma,3 cases with pleural me- tastasis from stomach cancer,2 cases with pleural metastasis from liver cancer,1 case with lymphoma.Among 50 benign cases(58.8%),there were 46 cases(54.1%)with tuberculous pleurisy,4 cases(4.7%)with chronic in- flammation.There was no severe complication.Conclusion:Thoracoscopy is safe and with high diagnostic rate in pleural effusions of unknown reason.