Analysis of thoracoscopy in the pleural effusion of unknown reason

Objective To evaluate the diagnosing value of thoracoscopy in the pleural effusion of unknown reason.Methods Thoracoscopy was done in 25 pleural effusion patients of unknown reason. To observe the under thoracoscopic presentations and take the illness tissues under direct view for histopathologic examination. Results That was the under thoracoscopic presentations,they are pleural congestion and edema,greyish white military diffused nodes,single or multi nodes,pleural thickness and fibrostic septa or adhesion. The diagnostic rate of thoracoscopy was 92%. There were 15 malignant cases (60%) in the diagnosed patients. Among them,metastasis of lung cancer 11 cases (adenocarcinoma 7 cases,squamous cell lung cancer 1 case,small cell lung cancer 1case),malignant mesothelioma 4 cases. There were 8 benign cases (32%) in the diagnosed patients.Among them,tuberculous pleurisy 7 cases,chronic inflammation 1 case. There were nosevere complications. Conclusion Thoracoscopy is a safe and high diagnostic rate method in unknown reason pleural effusions.