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An update of the long-term outcome of patients with nonspecific pleurisy at medical thoracoscopy
- Source :
- BMC Pulmonary Medicine, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Abstract Background Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is recommended in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion and offers a degree of diagnostic sensitivity for pleural malignancy. However, not all patients who undergo MT receive an exact diagnosis. Our previous investigation from 2014 summarized the long-term outcomes of these patients with nonspecific pleurisy (NSP); now, we offer updated data with the goal of refining our conclusions. Methods Between July 2005 and August 2018, MT with pleural biopsies were performed in a total of 1,254 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions. One hundred fifty-four patients diagnosed with NSP with available follow-up data were included in the present study, and their medical records were reviewed. Results A total of 154 patients were included in this study with a mean follow-up duration of 61.5 ± 43.7 months (range: 1–180 months). No specific diagnosis was established in 67 (43.5%) of the patients. Nineteen patients (12.3%) were subsequently diagnosed with pleural malignancies. Sixty-eight patients (44.2%) were diagnosed with benign diseases. Findings of pleural nodules or plaques during MT and the recurrence of pleural effusion were associated with malignant disease. Conclusions Although most NSP patients received a diagnosis of a benign disease, malignant disease was still a possibility, especially in those patients with nodules or plaques as noted on the MT and a recurrence of pleural effusion. One year of clinical follow-up for NSP patients is likely sufficient. These updated results further confirm our previous study’s conclusions.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14712466
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- BMC Pulmonary Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.6663837c7d14092a7e32b96d518b34c
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01596-2