Combined detection of carcinoembryonic antigen and C-reactive protein in identifying benign and malignant pleural effusion

Objective To explore the clinical significance of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) and C-reactive protein(CRP) combined detection in identifying benign and malignant pleural effusion.Methods The CEA and CRP level in pleural effusion of 23 cases of patients with malignant pleural effusion(malignant group) and 35 cases of patients with benign pleural effusion(benign group) was detected with direct radioimmunoassay.Results The CEA level in pleural effusion of patients in malignant group was higher than that in benign group(P 0.05),while the CRP level was lower than that in benign group(P0.001).The sensitivity,specificity and veracity of CEA and CRP combined detection in diagnosing malignant and benign plural effusion were 65.7%,70% and 67.2% respectively.Conclusion Combined dection of CEA and CRP in pleural effusion may have significant clinical value in identifying benign and malignant pleural effusion.