内科胸腔镜对老年人原因不明胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的 研究内科胸腔镜在老年人原因不明胸腔积液诊断方面的价值,评估其安全性.方法 筛选通过胸水检查及其他临床情况综合判断,不能明确病因的渗出性胸腔积液且年龄≥65岁的患者,对其行内科胸腔镜检查.结果 49例患者中男性33例,女性16例,年龄65～82岁,平均70.5岁.单侧胸腔积液41例(83.7%),双侧胸腔积液8例(16.3%).病理确诊结核性胸膜炎14例(28.6%),恶性肿瘤8例(16.3%),未明确诊断者包括病理报告非特异性炎症12例(24.5%)、间皮细胞及组织细胞增生4例(8.2%)、另外11例(22.4%)包括镜下脏壁层胸膜正常未取活检及未成功手术者.结合临床资料,在这27例中8例(16.3%)明确为感染性,19例(38.8%)原因不明.胸腔镜检查对临床原因不明胸腔积液诊断率为61.2%.本组胸腔镜检查术后出现发热8例(16.3%),大面积皮下气肿7例(14.3%),1例(2.0%)包裹性胸腔积液在人造气胸过程中出现严重胸膜反应.上述并发症经治疗后均痊愈.结论 内科胸腔镜检查对老年人原因不明胸腔积液明确诊断有较大的临床价值.并发症发生率较既往未按年龄分组的研究所报道的数据略高.     

内科胸腔镜对老年人原因不明胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的 研究内科胸腔镜在老年人原因不明胸腔积液诊断方面的价值,评估其安全性.方法 筛选通过胸水检查及其他临床情况综合判断,不能明确病因的渗出性胸腔积液且年龄≥65岁的患者,对其行内科胸腔镜检查.结果 49例患者中男性33例,女性16例,年龄65～82岁,平均70.5岁.单侧胸腔积液41例(83.7%),双侧胸腔积液8例(16.3%).病理确诊结核性胸膜炎14例(28.6%),恶性肿瘤8例(16.3%),未明确诊断者包括病理报告非特异性炎症12例(24.5%)、间皮细胞及组织细胞增生4例(8.2%)、另外11例(22.4%)包括镜下脏壁层胸膜正常未取活检及未成功手术者.结合临床资料,在这27例中8例(16.3%)明确为感染性,19例(38.8%)原因不明.胸腔镜检查对临床原因不明胸腔积液诊断率为61.2%.本组胸腔镜检查术后出现发热8例(16.3%),大面积皮下气肿7例(14.3%),1例(2.0%)包裹性胸腔积液在人造气胸过程中出现严重胸膜反应.上述并发症经治疗后均痊愈.结论 内科胸腔镜检查对老年人原因不明胸腔积液明确诊断有较大的临床价值.并发症发生率较既往未按年龄分组的研究所报道的数据略高.     

The differential diagnostic value of pleural effusion heparin-binding protein in parapneumonic effusion

<正>Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of pleural effusion heparin-binding protein (HBP)in differential diagnosis of parapneumonic effusion.Methods Case-control study. The pleural effusion of 189patients with pleural effusion admitted to Quzhou People's Hospital from February to July 2018,including parapneumonic effusion (n=72),tuberculous pleural effusion     

Diagnostic value of T-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay in pleural effusion and peripheral blood from patients with tuberculous pleurisy

<正>Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of T-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay(T-SPOT.TB)using both pleural effusion and peripheral blood in tuberculous pleurisy.Methods One hundred and two cases of patients with pleural effusion treated in Anhui Chest Hospital from January 2014 to October 2015 were enrolled in     

显微镜下多血管炎肺部病变的临床特点

目的 探讨显微镜下多血管炎(microscopic polyangiitis,MPA)肺部病变特点.方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2009年12月在北京协和医院伟院的50例MPA患者的临床资料,包括临床表现、实验室检查、超声心动图、肺功能、胸部CT及肾脏病理等.结果 男22例,女28例,年龄23～85岁,平均(66±12)岁.病程中存在肺部病变者46例(92%),常见症状有咳嗽(34/46,74%)、咳痰(30/46,65%)、呼吸困难(19/46,41%)和咯血(16/46,35%);14例(14/50,28%)以肺部病变为首发表现,其中5例影像学特点符合普通型问质性肺炎.抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体(ANCA)中髓过氧化物酶(MPO)-ANCA阳性率96%(48/50),蛋白酶3(PR3)-ANCA阳性率6%(3/50).影像学表现为磨玻璃影者16例,肺间质纤维化16例,浸润影12例,胸腔积液7例.常见肺功能异常为弥散功能障碍(12/15)和限制性通气功能障碍(4/15).肺动脉高压13例,肺动脉收缩压平均为(48±8)mmHg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).结论 MPA肺受累发生率高,约1/3患者以肺受累为首发表现;临床表现无特异性,磨玻璃影、肺间质纤维化、浸润影和胸腔积液为常见影像学表现;激素和免疫抑制剂治疗后短期预后较好,肺部感染是MPA肺受累的主要死亡原因.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the clinical features of pulmonary involvement in patients with microscopic polyangiitis(MPA).Methods We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of 50 patients hospitalized with MPA in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to December 2009,the data included clinical manifestation,laboratory parameters,echocardiography,pulmonary funetion test,chest computed tomography,and histopathology of kidney.Results Pulmonary involvements were observed in 46 patients,common symptoms include cough(34/46),expectoration(30/46),dyspnea(19/46)and hemoptysis(16/46).Pulmonary involvement was the initial manifestation in 14 patients,five cases had radiographic evidences of usaal interstitial pneumonia before MPA was diagnosed.The prevalence of positive MPO-ANCA antibodies in MPA patients was 96%.The prevalence of positive PR3-ANCA antibodies was 6% Radiographic manifestations included ground glass attenuation(16/37),interstitial changes(16/37),infihrates(12/37)and pleural effusion(7/37).The most frequent abnormality in pulmonary function test was reduced carbon monoxide diffusing capacity(12/15)and restrictive ventilation dysfunction(4/15).The incidences of pulmonary hypertension was 33%(13/39),the average pulmonary artery systolic pressure was (48±8)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).Conclusion The prevalence of pulmonary involvement in patients with MPA was high,pulmonary involvement was the initial manifestation in 28%patients.The clinical manifestations were nonspecific,radiographic manifestations included ground glass attenuation,interstitial changes,infiltrates and pleural effusion.The short term prognosis was well in patients with pulmonary involvement treated with systemic cortieosteroids and cyclophosphamide,infection was a leading cause of death in patients with pulmonary involvement.     

蛋白丢失性肠病61例临床分析

目的 通过对蛋白丢失性肠病临床资料的总结分析,提高对本病的认识.方法 对北京协和医院1997至2009年诊断的61例蛋白丢失性肠病进行分析总结.结果 男26例,女35例,年龄16～77(40±15)岁.水肿为首发症状51例;腹水为主要症状41例;合并双侧胸腔积液23例;腹痛16例,腹泻33例;所有患者均有显著的低蛋白血症.37例患者经核素99Tcm标记白蛋白显像证实存在肠道蛋白丢失,24例为临床诊断.原发病主要为系统性红斑狼疮(28例),先天性淋巴管扩张(12例).治疗上以原发病治疗为主.结论 蛋白丢失性肠病临床并非罕见,以严重的低蛋白血症和多浆膜腔积液为特征,核素99Tcm标记白蛋白显像是特异性的诊断方法之一,治疗上以原发病治疗为主,预后与原发病控制与否相关.

Abstract：

Objective To increase the understanding in protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).Methods Sixty-one PLE patients were enrolled in the study and the clinical characteristics, complicated disease, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Results The age of the patients was 16-77 (40±15)years, and the gender ratio was 35:26 (female: male). The main clinical manifestations were bilateral lower limb edema in 51 cases, ascites in 41 cases, bilateral pleural effusion in 23 cases, pericardial effusion in 13cases, abdominal pain in 16 cases and diarrhea in 33 cases. The prominent abnormality in laboratory examinations was hypoalbuminemia. The underlying diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 28 cases, intestinal lymphangiectasia in 12 cases, hepatic cirrhosis in 5 cases, heart diseases in 5 cases,Crohn's disease in 3 cases, membranous nephropathy in 2 cases, Budd-Chiari syndrome in 1 case. Four cases happened after abdominal operation and 1 case after radiation therapy of gastric cardia cancer. Thirtyseven cases were diagnosed by 99Tcm-labelled human serum albumin scintigraphy and 24 cases were diagnosed clinically. Treatment was focused on underlying diseases. The clinical manifestations in 21 cases of SLE improved after SLE was controlled. In 2 cases of intestinal lymphangiectasia and one with Crohn's disease, the clinical manifestations improved after surgery. The other patients had no improvement.Conclusions PLE was not uncommon in clinical practice. Its predominant characteristics were severe hypoalbuminemia, edema and dropsy of serous cavity. PLE can complicate other diseases such as SLE,intestinal lymphangiectasia. Treatment should be focused on primary disease.     

Tuberculous peritonitis in children：Report of nine patients and review of the literature

AIM：To present our experience with tuberculous peritonitis treated in our hospital from 2002-2007. METHODS： We reviewed the medical records of 9 children with tuberculous peritonitis. RESULTS： Nine patients （5 boys, 4 girls） of mean age 14.2 years were diagnosed with peritoneal tuberculosis. All patients presented with abdominal distention. Abdominal pain was seen in 55.5% and fever in 44.4% of the patients. Four cases had coexisting pleural effusion and two had pulmonary tuberculosis with parenchymal consolidation. Ultrasonography found ascites with septation in 7 patients. Two patients had only ascites without septation. Ascitic fluid analysis of 8 patients yielded serum-ascite albumin gradients of less than 1.1 gr/dL. Laparoscopy and laparotomy showed that whitish tuberculi were the most common appearance. Adhesions were also seen in three cases. The diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was confirmed histo-pathologically in 7 patients and microbiologically in two. Two patients had been diagnosed by ascitic fluid diagnostic features and a positive response to antituberculous treatment. All patients completed the antituberculous therapy without any complications. CONCLUSION： Tuberculous peritonitis has to be clinically suspected in all patients with slowly progressive abdominal distension, particularly when it is accompanied by fever and pain. Laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsy are still the most reliable, quick and safe methods for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis.     

临床病例评析——咖啡色胸腔积液腹部囊肿结节红斑

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者合并胰源性胸腔积液、胰源性脂膜炎的诊断及治疗.方法 通过病史回顾、实验室特殊检查及病理检查明确诊断并分析诊疗经过.结果 1例40岁女性SLE患者腹部CT显示胰腺水肿,多个胰腺假性囊肿最大230 mm×95 mm,双侧胸腔反复出现大量包裹性积液,胸腔积液生化榆查淀粉酶11 327 U/L,下肢皮下结节病理显示胰源性脂膜炎样改变.确诊患者为SLE合并胰腺炎、巨大胰腺假性囊肿、胰源性胸腔积液、胰源性脂膜炎.应用糖皮质激素、生长抑素、乌司他丁、鼻肠营养等保守治疗效果不佳.外科经皮穿刺引流囊肿后,患者临床症状显著改善.结论 SLE患者合并胰腺假性囊肿,应警惕胰腺胸膜瘘等因素导致的胰源性胸腔积液的发生,应积极送检淀粉酶,早期囊肿引流较保守治疗更有利于控制病情.

Abstract：

Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)patients associated with pancreatic pleural effusion and pancreatic:panniculitis.Methods Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data,therapy and experiences.Results A 40-year-old female SLE patient associated with pancreatitis,huge pancreatic pseudocysts,pancreatic pleural effusion,pancreatic panniculitis.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed an edematous swelling of the pancreas and several pseudocysts,the biggest one measuring 230 mm×95 am.Markedly elevated amylase (11 327 U/L)was contained in the massive pleural effusion.Erythema nodosum tissue pathology revealed the pancreatic panniculitis.The pscudocyst did not completely resolve with high-dose steroid.Growth hormone release inhibiting hormone (GIH),ulinastatin,nasojejunal feeding,and it was later complicated by infection and rupture.After a surgical percutaneous drainage for the complicated pseudocyst,the clinical symptoms and signs were markedly improved.Conclusion This case shows the importance of performing eady drainage rather than conservative treatment for pancreatic pseudocyst in patients with lupus-associated pancreatitis.     

北京协和医院普通内科2004-2008年住院患者构成分析及大型综合医院设置普通内科的价值初探

目的 总结北京协和医院普通内科2004-2008年收治住院患者的构成特点,初步探讨普通内科在大型综合医院设置的必要性.方法 回顾性分析2004-2008年北京协和医院普通内科住院患者的资料(患者来源、入院诊断、出院诊断等).结果 期间普通内科住院患者共2593例,其中男1075例,女1518例,平均年龄45.1岁.入院时诊断不清者占64.9%(1683/2593),其中不明原因发热(FUO)758例,非FUO待查病例925例.FUO最终明确诊断率89.2%(676/758),疾病前3位是肌肉骨骼系统和结缔组织疾病226例(29.8%)、传染病和寄生虫病199例(26.3%)、肿瘤110例(14.5%).非FUO的待查病例最终明确诊断率86.8%(803/925),疾病前3位为肌肉骨骼系统和结缔组织疾病230例(24.9%)、肿瘤143例(15.5%)、血液及造血系统疾病105例(11.4%).出院诊断共涉及550个病种.结论 北京协和医院普通内科住院患者具有来源广、疾病种类多、诊断不清比例高等特点.普通内科既解决了诊断不清等患者的收治问题,又为年轻医(学)生提供了良好的医学教育平台,体现了大型综合医院设置普通内科的必要性.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze the disease spectrum of patients admitted to the General Internal Medicine Unit at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, which is the first academic division of general internal medicine in the department of medicine within Chinese medical colleges and universities, and the value of general internal medicine unit in comprehensive hospitals. Methods A retrospective data review of patients admitted to the General Internal Medicine Unit from 2004 to 2008 was conducted from hospital information system and partially by chart review manually. Analysis of disease spectrum was performed thereafter. Results A total of 2593 patients were included in our study. It consisted of 1075 men and 1518women, with an average age of 45.1 years old. Forty point three percent of these patients were from Beijing,the local city, and the remaining 59.7% were from outside of Beijing. Sixty-four point nine percent (1683/2593)of these patients did not have a clear diagnosis on admission, including 758 fever of unknown origin (FUO) cases and 925 non-FUO cases. The final diagnostic rate of the FUO cases was 89. 2% [676/758, with the first three leading causes as diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (29. 8%), certain infectious and parasitic diseases(26.3%), and neoplasm (14. 5%)] . The final diagnostic rate of the 928 non-FUO cases was 86. 8%(803/925), with the first three leading causes as musculoskeletal system and connective tissue(24.9%), neoplasm (15.5%), and diseases of blood and blood-forming organs(11.4%). Despite most diagnoses fitting into the above categories, the array of diseases was broad with as many as 550 discharge diagnoses from 2004 to 2008. Conclusions During 2004 -2008, there was a high proportion of cases that presented to the General Internal Medicine Unit at Peking Union Medical College Hospital with an unclear diagnosis, and the spectrum of diseases diagnosed was very broad. This kind of patient admitting model might not only benefit patients with no clear admission diagnosis and patients with multidisciplinary medical problems for whom it is usually difficult to be admitted by a specialty unit, but would also benefit medical students and residents by providing a good clinical medicine teaching base. These features show the value of general internal unit in comprehensive hospitals.     

135例胸腔积液患者内科胸腔镜检查及临床意义

目的探讨内科胸腔镜检查对不明原因胸腔积液患者的临床意义。方法分析内科胸腔镜检查135例患者的临床资料。结果135例中,经胸腔镜胸膜活检确诊104例（77．0％）,其中病理为恶性肿瘤和结核性胸膜炎各51例（49．0％）,脓胸2例（1．9％）。135例胸腔积液患者经胸腔镜检查病因诊断阳性率85．9％。恶性肿瘤和结核性胸膜炎患者经胸腔镜胸膜活检阳性率分别为79．7％和91．1％。结论内科胸腔镜检查对不明原因胸腔积液患者有获得病理诊断、病因诊断及准确肺癌分期等临床意义。     

可弯曲电子内科胸腔镜在不明原因胸腔积液诊断中的应用

目的了解可弯曲电子内科胸腔镜在不明原因胸腔积液诊断中的应用价值。方法自2005年7月至2007年3月，应用可弯曲电子内科胸腔镜对我院呼吸科病房中60例不明原因的胸腔积液患者进行胸腔镜检查，其中男36例，女24例。对所有通过胸腔积液常规、生化、微生物学及细胞学等实验室检查或通过诊断性抗结核治疗仍不能明确其积液原因的患者进行内科胸腔镜检查。结果经检查，60例不明原因的胸腔积液患者中恶性肿瘤32例（53％），结核16例（27％），阴性结果或慢性炎症5例（8％），肺炎合并胸膜炎4例（7％），粘连严重未能看到胸壁者3例（5％）。恶性肿瘤中肺腺癌最常见。术后并发症中伤口疼痛最常见，对症治疗可缓解。未出现肺水肿、感染、拔管延迟等并发症。结论可弯曲电子内科胸腔镜是一项简单、安全、有效的检查方法。在临床上，可帮助我们进一步明确胸腔积液的病因，特别是对于不明原因的胸腔积液。     

Pleural effusions: is thoracoscopy a reliable investigation? A retrospective review.

In this paper, we consider the results of thoracoscopy in a busy thoracic unit where the referring physicians place their greatest emphasis upon simple standard investigation of pleural disease. Between 1985 and 1989 620 patients with a pleural effusion of unknown aetiology were referred to our thoracic medical unit. Initial investigations included aspiration of pleural fluid for cytology and culture, and blind pleural biopsy for histological examination. Recourse to thoracoscopy was only taken in the absence of a diagnosis or non-resolution of the patients symptoms and signs. Of these 620 patients only 48 (8%) remained without a diagnosis and were referred for thoracoscopy. Histological assessment of biopsies obtained at thoracoscopy revealed malignancy in 24 patients (50%) and benign conditions in 16 patients (33%). In eight patients (17%) no conclusive diagnosis was established; in this latter group, six patients continued with their symptoms and further invasive investigations revealed malignancy. In this setting where thoracoscopy was used as a last resort, the sensitivity for thoracoscopy was 83% and the specificity was 100% with a predictive value of a negative result being 25%. In conclusion, from our experience, the majority of pleural disease may be diagnosed using simple techniques but thoracoscopy can be very helpful in the more complex cases. Moreover, inconclusive histology following thoracoscopy is an indication for further investigation if the condition does not improve.     

内科胸腔镜在不明原因胸腔积液诊断中的应用

目的 分析内科胸腔镜在不明原因胸腔积液诊断中的价值及其安全性.方法 对我院呼吸内科及重症医学科2010年4月至2013年4月收治的92例不明原因胸腔积液患者行内科胸腔镜检查,观察胸膜病变,直视下病变处多部位活检并行病理检查.结果 92例胸腔积液患者确诊84例,诊断阳性率为91.3％,其中恶性胸腔积液48例,结核性胸腔积液29例,非特异性炎症4例,化脓性胸膜炎2例,结节病1例,病因不明8例,术后疼痛11例,发热3例,出血1例.结论 内科胸腔镜检查有助于进一步明确不明原因胸腔积液的病因,且患者耐受性好、安全、有效,值得临床推广应用.     

内科胸腔镜对胸腔积液诊断和治疗的临床价值

目的：探讨内科胸腔镜对胸腔积液的诊断价值,以及应用内科胸腔镜滑石粉胸膜固定术对恶性胸腔积液的治疗价值。方法回顾性性分析2008年1月至2014年1月在郑州市第三人民医院呼吸内科接受内科胸腔镜诊断的142例胸腔积液患者的临床资料。评价内科胸腔镜对胸腔积液的诊断阳性率和分析病因。将确诊为恶性胸腔积液的患者分为胸腔镜组和对照组。胸腔镜组给予内科胸腔镜滑石粉胸膜固定术,对照组胸给予胸腔引流管内灌注滑石粉而实现胸膜固定。对两组的疗效进行对比和分析。结果在142例胸腔积液患者中,有136例经内科胸腔镜检查及病理活检明确诊断,确诊率达95.8%。其中恶性胸腔积液(含恶性胸膜间皮瘤2例)85例(59.9%),结核性胸膜炎31例(21.8%),肺炎旁积液13例(9.2%),非特异性炎症7例(4.9%),原因不明胸腔积液6例(4.2%)。确诊的85例恶性胸腔积液患者中,胸腔镜组56例,1个月后复查有效率为91.1%,完全缓解率为82.1%;对照组29例,1个月后复查有效率为69.0%,完全缓解率为48.3%,两组有效率和完全缓解率比较,差异均有统计学意义(χ2值分别为6.786、10.555,P 值分别为0.009、0.001)。结论内科胸腔镜对胸腔积液具有较好的确诊率,内科胸腔镜滑石粉胸膜固定术可以有效地治疗恶性胸腔积液。     

Medical thoracoscopy in the diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusion

Abstract Approximately 20% of pleural effusions remain without an established aetiology after evaluation. Thoracoscopy has a very high sensitivity for the diagnosis of both benign and malignant diseases and greatly increases the diagnostic yield for pleural effusion. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of medical thoracoscopy at this institution. The records of all patients undergoing medical thoracoscopy for the evaluation of undiagnosed pleural effusion between 1990 and 1996 were reviewed. The procedure was performed under local anaesthesia with sedation using a Stortz rigid thoracoscope. Fifty-eight patients had thoracoscopy, most having had two (range: 1–6) non-diagnostic pleural aspirations and biopsies of the pleura. Nineteen patients were found to have mesothelioma and nine metastatic malignancy. Three patients were considered likely to have tuberculous pleural disease, six had asbestos related benign pleural fibrosis and three post-cardiotomy syndrome. There was one chylous effusion of uncertain aetiology, one post-traumatic and two other benign effusions, both of which resolved without clear aetiology. On seven occasions the pleural space could not be adequately accessed, but none of these patients had prior computerized tomography (CT) or ultrasound of the pleural space. There were five false negative diagnoses of malignancy, but no false positives. The diagnostic sensitivity for pleural malignancy was 85% and specificity 100%. There were no major complications, but four patients had late tumour seeding at the thoracoscopy site. Medical thoracoscopy is a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield. Pre-operative evaluation of the pleural collection using ultrasound or CT increases the likelihood of successful access to the pleural space and may increase diagnostic yield.     

胸腔镜对恶性胸腔积液诊断的价值

目的探讨内科胸腔镜对恶性胸腔积液诊断价值。方法 138例恶性胸腔积液患者行内科胸腔镜,取病变组织病理检查。结果获得明确病理结果 130例。镜下表现分为以下4种:①结节120例;②胸膜增厚、纤维组织增生形成分隔或粘连带10例;③胸膜充血、水肿6例,④胸膜弥漫性肥厚、凹凸不平2例。确诊病例中肺癌110例,肺腺癌转移93例,恶性间皮瘤8例,转移癌10例,病理无法定性的恶性胸腔积液5例。所有病例无严重并发症。结论内科胸腔镜检查对恶性胸腔积液诊断是一种安全、有效的方法。     

Endoscopic approach to pulmonary diseases: Clinical utility of medical thoracoscopy in diagnosis of pleural diseases

Thoracoscopy is useful for diagnosis of a number of lung diseases. We report our recent experience of medical thoracoscopy performed under local anesthesia in 142 cases. Of 124 patients with pleural effusion, 46 had pleuritis carcinomatosa, 11 had pleuritis tuberculosa, and 10 had malignant mesothelioma. We evaluated the utility of thoracoscopic observation and pleural biopsy in these three diseases. Almost of patients with malignant pleural effusion initially undiagnosed by the cytology of pleural effusion were diagnosed by thoracoscopy. Especially in malignant mesothelioma, thoracoscopy allowed accurate diagnosis. No serious complication was observed. Since medical thoracoscopy under local anesthesia is a rapid, easy, safe, and well-tolerated procedure with an excellent diagnostic yield, it is recommended as a diagnostic procedure for cases with pleural effusion.